Rescue teams in the Altai region carried out a coordinated operation after more than thirty travelers were left stranded on a snowbound stretch of road. The incident, confirmed by a regional ministry of emergencies channel on Telegram, prompted a rapid mobilization of responders and volunteers to ensure everyone was accounted for and safe.
According to the ministry, on December 8 a convoy of five UAZ vehicles traveled from the village of Kosh-Agach toward Belyashi along a road that had been closed due to severe winter conditions. In the end, 34 people were stranded in the deep snow, including two children. The situation quickly drew the attention of search crews who were alerted by worried relatives and immediately set out to locate the missing group using a fleet of ten snowmobiles and additional equipment.
Rescuers faced challenges beyond the cold and snowfall. The Altai Ministry of Emergencies reported communication gaps in the search zone, which complicated efforts to coordinate the response. Despite these hurdles, teams pressed on, following the leads provided by relatives and mobilizing extra resources to widen the search area and ensure no one was left behind.
At about 12:15 a.m., the stranded travelers were located and managed to reach the village on their own. The ministry later confirmed that the situation in Belyashi was under control and that the immediate danger to the group had passed.
In a related regional warning, avalanche risk had been flagged in the Northern Baikal area of Buryatia on December 6, underscoring the precarious conditions winter travelers routinely face in these parts. Local authorities advised travelers to exercise extreme caution, carry essential survival gear, and maintain reliable communication with rescue services during harsh weather.
Across the broader Caucasus and surrounding highland regions, a separate weather pattern brought unusual snowfall to Dagestan, marking a rare seasonal event that has residents and officials reviewing snow management plans and transport safety measures. These patterns highlight the ongoing need for robust emergency readiness and clear, timely dissemination of weather and road-condition updates to communities and travelers alike.