Nepalese authorities said five Russian climbers were found dead on the 8,167-meter Dhaulagiri peak in the Himalayas, after they were missing for two days, DPA reported, quoted by BTA.
An aerial search and rescue team found the bodies at an altitude of about 7,600 meters on the world's seventh highest peak, said Rakesh Gurung of Nepal's Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation.
"On October 6 at 11:00 p.m., the Russian nationals radioed base camp that they were descending from 8,000m, stating that it was too late to continue their ascent. That was the last we heard from them," said Penba Sherpa, managing director of the company that organized the climb, adding that the group climbed alpine style without the support of certified professionals.
One of the members of the summit group stayed at Camp 4 on the mountain and was rescued and taken to a hospital in Kathmandu where he is currently receiving treatment.
The exact cause of death remains unclear, but Sherpa suggests the climbers may have slipped on the descent. Ministry officials said heavy snowstorms in Nepal's Himalayas in recent days may also have contributed to the tragedy.
According to the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, there has been only one expedition on Mount Dhaulagiri in the current autumn season, involving 14 climbers, many of whom attempted the alpine-style summit.