149 people stranded near Tolbachik volcano in Kamchatka — 117 to be airlifted
Storm destroyed the access road; tourists and guides will be flown to the village of Eso and then bused to Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky.
A total of 149 people have been isolated near the Tolbachik volcano on Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula after a storm destroyed the access road, local authorities said.
Of those cut off, 117 are tourists and guides who are scheduled for evacuation, while the remaining 32 are drivers who will remain with their vehicles until the road is reopened.
Evacuation and logistics
The tourists and guides will be airlifted by helicopter to the village of Eso. From Eso they will be transported by bus to Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky.
Local officials reported that the storm wiped out the route leading to the Tolbachik site, leaving vehicles and people unable to leave by road. Rescue teams are coordinating the helicopter transfers and the subsequent bus convoy from Eso to the regional center.
The 32 drivers will stay with their vehicles near the site until crews can repair or re-open the damaged road, authorities said, and the evacuation operation is continuing under changing weather conditions.
Photo: press material from the event
