Cable car to Elbrus closed after three deaths

"In connection with the tragic events that took place on Elbrus, the chairlift station "Mir" – shelter "Bochki" is closed until the completion of investigative measures. For the same reason, the pendulum cable car, built in 1970, has also been decommissioned," the department reported.

They also added that from September 3 to 24, the modern track at the Elbrus resort was stopped for scheduled maintenance: "The gondola cable car is being prepared for the winter season."

As a result, operational ascent to the highest mountain in Europe is currently suspended for tourists, climbers and Emergencies Ministry employees. Therefore, the ministry asked guests of the republic "to refrain from walking along tourist routes to Elbrus until the end of scheduled maintenance," which is scheduled for September 24.

It is emphasized that all other tourist sites in Elbrus region are operating according to the usual program.

Let us recall that three people died as a result of the accident on the cable car on Elbrus that happened last Friday. "According to the investigation, on September 12, 2025, at approximately 15:00, an accident occurred on Mount Elbrus involving a cable car lift and a fall of the suspended chairs onto the rocky surface along with the people in them," the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation for the Kabardino-Balkarian Republic reported. Several more people received injuries of varying severity.

A criminal case has been opened. Today it became known that two suspects have been detained in the case of the deaths of people – these are the director and chief engineer of OOO "MKD Elbrus", who were responsible for servicing the equipment on the cable car. They are suspected of providing services that do not meet safety requirements.