Georgian mountaineer Nikoloz Paliani dies in fall on mount Ushba

A 29-year-old Georgian mountaineer has died during an expedition on Mount Ushba in the Svaneti region, officials confirmed on Thursday. 

Nikoloz Paliani, an experienced climber and internationally certified mountain guide from Mestia, fell from a significant height during a trek on the challenging peak. His death was first reported by family members and friends.

According to Georgia’s Emergency Management Service, four individuals were ascending Mount Ushba on foot when the incident occurred earlier today. A rescue operation was swiftly launched, involving a Border Police helicopter.

"During the rescue operation, firefighters safely lifted three people into a helicopter at an altitude of 3,600 metres and found the body of the deceased person," the Emergency Management Service said in a statement.

Paliani was known for organizing adventure tours throughout the mountainous Svaneti region, guiding both local and international climbers on expeditions across glaciers and high-altitude terrain.

Mount Ushba, often referred to as the Matterhorn of the Caucasus, is one of the most challenging climbs in the region and has claimed the lives of several experienced alpinists in recent years.