ISTANBUL

Two tourists died while climbing Vilyuchinsky Volcano on Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula after falling during an unregistered ascent, regional authorities said Saturday.

The accident occurred near the city of Yelizovo, prompting a rescue operation involving 45 people, including medics and mountain specialists. A helicopter crew and a 23-member ground team reached the climbers at about 1,500 meters (4,920 feet) altitude.

One man was pronounced dead at the scene. A woman who fell with him was critically injured and later died despite medical efforts. A third climber was found unharmed and is being escorted down by rescuers.

The Investigative Committee for Kamchatka Krai has opened an inquiry into the incident.

Vilyuchinsky Volcano, about 70 kilometers (43 miles) south of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, is popular with climbers but considered dangerous due to its steep slopes and unstable terrain.