A volunteer who was caught in an avalanche in the Kronotsky State Nature Reserve in Kamchatka was carried toward the Pacific Ocean. A search is ongoing to locate him, according to the reserve’s press service cited by RIA News.
Initial reports indicate that the accident happened near Cape Chazhma when large blocks of snow and ice unexpectedly broke away and fell into the water where Artem Vasilyev was located. State investigators attempted rescue measures, but the forces at play proved overwhelming. According to an early assessment, he was swept away by a strong current toward the open sea.
Efforts to locate the missing volunteer are coordinated by reserve staff and have been transferred to the scene’s courts for further action as needed. Once weather conditions permit, a helicopter is planned to fly to the site with representatives from the reserve administration and the Investigative Committee of the Kamchatka Region.
Artem Vasilyev, 33, has been involved in volunteer programs at the Kronotsky Reserve since 2018 and was known for his preparedness and experience in the area. He assisted patrol activities within the reserve and was active during a period of heightened avalanche risk following a heavy snowfall across the peninsula.
Earlier statements from former reserve personnel were noted, indicating ongoing operations and the need for continued caution as winter conditions persist in the region. The Kronotsky Nature Reserve remains a focal point for monitoring natural hazards while supporting volunteer work and scientific observation in one of Russia’s most ecologically significant landscapes. [Source attribution: RIA News]