Bosnian Mountaineers Survive Elbrus Tragedy, Return Home

Elbrus tragedy Bosnia and Herzegovina mountaineers survivors return transport of bodies Zenica Mountain Rescue Service

Two Bosnian mountaineers, Haris Adilović and Kemal Vidimlić, arrived in Sarajevo on an evening flight from Dubai after surviving the fatal accident on Mount Elbrus in the Russian Federation. They were escorted by officials of the Zenica Mountain Rescue Service, including its president Dina Ahmetović and head of station Kenan Hrustanović. Upon arrival, the service announced no media statements would be given to allow the survivors quiet time with their families.

The Elbrus accident on July 25 claimed the lives of five Bosnian climbers – Alma and Denis Okanović, Nermin Talam, Dr Meliha Čaušević and Almir Kadrić. Their bodies remain in Russia while Bosnian authorities, the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina government and foreign‑service ambassadors complete administrative procedures for repatriation. A collective funeral is planned in Zenica once the remains are returned.

Munever Aganhodžić of the Zenica Mountain Rescue Service emphasized the tragedy, saying, “What they survived is a great tragedy. Let us help these people and give them a few days to recover.”