2 German tourists go missing in mountains of Svaneti, Georgia

Georgian rescue officers are searching for two German tourists who went missing near the Mount Ushba in the Svaneti region in the west of Georgia.

The Georgian Interior Ministry said that search activities began yesterday and helicopters were part of it but nobody has been found so far, not even their tents, back-packs or any other items belonging to the lost tourists.

Reportedly, the missing tourists are a German father and son who were allegedly attempting to climb Mount Ushba.

Mount Ushba. Photo by Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge

Local media reported that there was a third person at the bottom of the mount who had a communication with the pair on every third day but the man had not heard from them since August 1. He called emergency services yesterday.

Mount Ushba, measuring 4,710m high, is one of the most notable peaks of the Caucasus mountain range. Due to its steep profile and unstable weather, Mount Ushba is regarded as the most difficult ascent in the Caucasus.

Even though Ushba is the seventh highest peak in Georgia, reaching the summit is considered one of the hardest climbs in Georgia.