AN 18-YEAR-OLD international judo star has died in an avalanche.
Emre Yazgan was understood to be climbing at the Palandoken Ski Center in Erzurum, North-East Turkey when the disaster struck.
The Erzurum governor Mustafa Ciftci confirmed the sad news that the teenager had passed away.
Ciftci said: “Our athlete Emre Yazgan could not be saved despite all interventions.
“My condolences to our nation.”
Yazgan was part of Turkey’s national judo team.
The black belt beat Brit Oliver Ridout earlier this year in August’s Skopje Junior European Cup 2024 held in North Macedonia.
And reports in Turkey suggest Yazgan was on the mountain at a high-altitude base camp alongside his team-mates.
They were said to be on a walk and had set the route themselves.
Various emergency services and rescue teams were sent out to try and help.
Video footage from the scene showed the mountain covered in snow and what appeared to be people searching for the missing youngster.
News outlet Aksam claim three further athletes were injured in the tragedy but were pulled to safety.
Ciftci continued: “They did not notify the official authorities when they went on a nature walk.
“They determined the route themselves.
“If they had notified the official authorities, we would have been able to inform them of the route where they could walk safely.”
Provincial Disaster and Emergency Director Selahattin Karsli explained that search and rescue members of the Turkish army were involved in the operation.
He said: “We have JAK teams in the region. We also arrived.
“The athletes went to training without permission.
I pray for patience for the family and loved ones of our young athlete
Turkey's Minister of Youth and Sports Osman Askin Bak
“They were caught in an avalanche in a very steep location.
“Four people were brought down by their own means and the gendarmerie and were brought out alive.
“One of our brothers has been pulled out from under two meters of avalanche.
“He probably has fractures in his neck and certain areas.”
Messages of condolences poured in for Yazgan.
Turkey’s Minister of Youth and Sports Osman Askin Bak wrote: “I pray to God for mercy on our national athlete Emre Yazgan, who lost his life in an avalanche on Erzurum Palandoken Mountain.
“I pray for patience for the family and loved ones of our young athlete. My condolences.”
