Pakistani climber dies, two foreigners rescued after avalanche on K2

One Pakistani climber died, while two foreign mountaineers were rescued after being caught in an avalanche during an attempt to scale K2, the world’s second-highest mountain, located in northern Pakistan, an official confirmed on Saturday.

Deputy Commissioner of Shigar, Arif Hussain, stated that at least four climbers were hit by the avalanche while attempting to summit the peak. Three were rescued safely, all of whom were foreigners.

“The rescued climbers sustained minor injuries and are being treated at a local hospital,” he added.

The Pakistani climber, identified as Muhammad Iftikhar Hussain, tragically lost his life in the incident. “His body has been transported to his hometown, Skardu,” said DC Hussain.

Read: Mountaineer Murad Sadpara succumbs to injuries while awaiting rescue at Broad Peak

He added that the deceased climber belonged to Sadpara village and would be laid to rest there later today.

This tragedy recalls a similar incident in July 2021, when rescuers recovered the bodies of three climbers, Pakistani mountaineer Ali Sadpara, Jon Snorri of Iceland, and Juan Pablo Mohr of Chile.

The three had gone missing in February 2021 while attempting to summit the 8,611-meter-high peak.

Their bodies were discovered during a search for the remains of 68-year-old climber Rick Allen, who had died three days earlier while attempting a previously untried route on the mountain’s southeast face.