2 Israelis killed in mountaineering accident in Georgia

Two other foreign nationals die after group falls during trek on one of the country’s more challenging mountains

By ToI Staff 6 August 2016, 2:12 pm

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Georgia's Ushba Mountain (YouTube screenshot)

Two Israeli hikers have been killed in northwest Georgia in an accident that claimed the lives of two other people.

The group of two Israelis, a Swede and a Russian set out on a trek to the country’s Mount Ushba on Monday. When they failed to make contact with their families by Thursday, a search was launched for them, Ynet news reported.

On Saturday search and rescue teams identified the group’s bodies on the mountainside. The four are believed to have died after falling from a ledge. The bodies were evacuated from the scene by helicopter.

Ynet noted that Ushba is considered to be a very tough climb, with steep slopes and snow all year round.

Israel’s Foreign Ministry was working to formally identify the bodies and fly them to Israel.