At least three climbers taking part in K2 Winter Expedition 2021(to summit 8,711 meters peak) have been reportedly missing since Friday evening, relevant sources informed on social media.

The missing persons have been identified as Muhammad Ali Sadpara from Pakistan, John Snorri from Iceland and JP Mohr Prieto from Chile.

#K2winter2021 Updates:
Three climbers John Snorri, Muhammad Ali Sadpara & JP Mohr lost their contact since yesterday evening.
Rescue operation launched,
Helicopter en-route, flying on #k2 BC.
Pray for all of them to return safely.#K2winter #K2winter2021#K2winterexpedition2021

— Adventure Pakistan (@Advpakistan1) February 6, 2021

However local media is reporting that they have succeeded in climbing the K2 which Dialogue Pakistan couldn’t verify independently.

According to reports initially there were total 22 participants out of which only the three persons wanted to continue the expedition while 18 others decided to move back. While one Bulgarian climber Atanas Skatov fell to his death.

The 22 climbers, including Muhammad Ali Sadpara and his son Sajid Sadpara, from the two expedition groups had started ascending the peak from base camp on Wednesday.

However, the Twitter’s official account of Sadpara has also confirmed that the three mountaineers have lost their contact with team.

Update: #k2winterexpedition2021
We are still waiting for Ali, John Snorri and JP Mohr to get in contact. While precautionary measures are being undertaken in case of a rescue being necessary. Last communication b/w sajid and base camp was at 01:00am and 04:00am. Prayers
Rao Ahmad

— Muhammad Ali Sadpara (@ali_sadpara) February 6, 2021

Request for pray
There's still nothing of @ali_sadpara , @john_snorri and Juan Pablo Mohr.
Sajid is waiting for them in C3.
Last time they were seen was 15 hours ago at 8200m.
Waiting for news of their safe return#k2winterexpedition2021 #K2winter

— Arsalan Shahzad (@ArsalanShahzed) February 6, 2021

According to the latest development, Pakistan Army has reportedly started a search operation through helicopters.