FIVE people have died in a massive avalanche in Iran and four others have been left seriously injured.
Rescue workers found five bodies on the 13,000 ft mountain after local authorities warned about the risks following extreme weather.
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Four survivors were rushed to hospital on Friday after starting the dangerous climb the day before.
The climbers were taking on Iran’s 4,150-metre Oshtorankuh mountain, around 180 miles southwest of Tehran, when they were caught up in the snow.
Its highest San Boran peak, has seen extreme weather conditions of heavy rain and snow in recent weeks, according to state news outlet IRNA.
In a statement, the Iranian Red Crescent said: “Yesterday, following the avalanche in Oshtorankuh, Lorestan, nine people had an accident, of which four people were taken to the hospital with the efforts of aid workers, and unfortunately five people were also missing.
“The bodies of two of the missing people were found yesterday.
“The bodies of three more missing climbers were found a few minutes ago with the efforts of the Red Crescent rescuers.”
While avalanches are not common in Iran, a deadly one in 2020 killed 12 people in mountains north of Tehran.
The Iranian Red Crescent posted footage online of rescuers working to free any survivors from the snow and to find bodies of those who didn’t survive.
They said in a statement under the clip on Thursday: “The moment one of the missing climbers was found by Red Crescent rescuers.
“Before noon today (December 3) following the avalanche in Ashtrankoh Lorestan, unfortunately 5 climbers were missing and the bodies of 2 people were found during the search and rescue operation.
“The search operation for 3 other climbers is still ongoing.”
It comes just months after a deadly avalanche struck the French Alps, killing six people.
The victims were tragically caught up in the snow as it tumbled down the Armancette glacier near Mont Blanc in south-eastern France.
The snowslide, with a reported height of 1,600m and a width of 500m, ploughed into skiers shortly before 11.30am.
And at least seven were killed just days before in a huge avalanche in India.
A bus packed with tourists reportedly plunged into a gorge following the avalanche.
Dozens of tourists were feared to be trapped after the torrent of snow and rocks hit five to six vehicles.
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Ellie Doughty
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