By Abu Muhammad

Rescuers have evacuated survivors of a climbing expedition on Eurasia’s highest volcano that claimed nine lives.

The deceased was part of a group of 12 individuals, including two guides, who had been climbing Klyuchevskaya Sopka in the northeastern Kamchatka peninsula region of Russia since August 30, Russian state news agency, RIA Novosti, said.

A rescue group of 24 began climbing to reach the survivors Monday. The rescue operation was carried out on Tuesday morning.

Klyuchevskaya Sopka is the tallest of over 160 volcanoes in Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula, which is noted for its array of active and dormant volcanoes, hot springs and abundant wildlife.

Freezing winds temporarily halted previous rescue operations.

Survivors had been transported by helicopter to the nearest village, Klyuchi, in the Ust-Kamchatka district.

One of the survivors had contacted frostbite by the time rescuers reached them.

Some rescue group members remained on the volcano after the survivors were evacuated. The remaining rescuers will decide on how to evacuate the dead bodies.