PESHAWAR: Two Russian climbers who were injured on the slopes of one of northern Pakistan’s highest mountains reached a hospital in Peshawar on Thursday, a week after they were stranded after being hit by falling ice.
The climbers were part of a five-member team of Russian climbers that was attempting to climb one of Gasherbrum’s peaks to retrieve the body of a fellow climber who died there last year when it was hit by a pile of ice on Friday.
Rescuers airlifted two of the mountaineers Monday, but two others remained stuck on the base camp because of their injuries and bad weather until Wednesday. Akhtar Hussain, a police official in Skardu, a city in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces, said the Russians were transported to a hospital by ambulance, and were in stable condition.
Karrar Haidri, the secretary of the Alpine Club of Pakistan, told The Associated Press that climbers Mikhail Mironov and Sergei Mironov are getting the best medical care at a hospital in Skardu. He said the search for the fifth climber, Sergei Nilov, had been called off as he is presumed dead.
Hussain said doctors provided medical care to the two injured climbers. “They are sad over the death of their fifth colleague, but are thankful to the Pakistani rescuers and the army for making efforts to save their life,” he said.
He said one needed only minor medical care, while the other had bruises on his arms and legs because he was hit by the pile of ice on Friday
Haidri said the climbers were fully aware of the dangers linked to the mission when they began expedition to retrieve the body of their colleague whodied in 2023 on the same mountain while trying to scale it.
Hundreds of climbers try to scale mountains in northern Pakistan every year, and accidents are common because of avalanches and sudden weather changes. This month, a Pakistani climber Murad Sadpara, 35, known for taking part in high-altitude rescue missions died during a descent from one of the country’s tallest mountains in the north.
Russian climbers reach hospital after rescue in Pakistani Himalayas
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Russian climbers reach hospital after rescue in Pakistani Himalayas
- Five-member team of Russian climbers was attempting to climb Gasherbrum to retrieve body of fellow climber who died there last year
- Hundreds try to scale mountains in northern Pakistan every year, and accidents are common because of avalanches, weather changes
Pakistan warns of more rain, snow in north, urges tourists to avoid travel
- Heavy snow has blanketed parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Galiyat, Azad Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan, cutting off several towns and villages
- Communications Minister Aleem Khan has directed authorities to ensure highways remain open, fully operational under all circumstances
ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) on Friday warned of more rain and snowfall in northern parts of the country, urging tourists to avoid unnecessary travel as authorities moved to prevent weather-related emergencies.
Rescuers evacuated dozens of stranded residents and tourists to safety as heavy snowfall blanketed several mountainous areas, particularly in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province, blocking roads and cutting off villages.
KP’s Khyber, South Waziristan and Swat districts were the most affected by heavy snowfall on Thursday, where authorities were clearing roads and providing food, warm clothes and bedding to affectees, according to Rescue 1122.
Heavy snowfall was also witnessed in Azad Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan, Murree and Galiyat where several vehicles were stuck on roads, while residents complaint of power outages in some areas, local media widely reported on Friday.
“The system causing rain/snowfall is active over northern parts of the country,” the PMD said in its advisory on Friday noon, predicting more showers and snow in the next few hours.
“Tourists [are] advised to stay vigilant and avoid unnecessary travel during rain and snowfall.”
Weather authorities this week forecast intermittent rains and snowfall in northern regions of the country between Jan. 21 and Jan. 24, with heavy snowfall likely in upper and hilly areas of the province.
Tens of thousands of tourists flock to Pakistan’s scenic north every winter to witness snowfall, often neglecting warnings from disaster management authorities.
In Jan. 2022, at least 21 people, including children, died after they were stuck in freezing temperatures during a snowstorm in the Pakistani hill station of Murree.
In view of the situation, Federal Minister Abdul Aleem Khan on Friday directed the National Highway Authority (NHA) to ensure that all highways remain open and fully operational under all circumstances.
“Minister has instructed NHA field staff to remain on high alert and to maintain 24/7 monitoring of weather conditions on highways in snowfall-affected areas,” the Pakistani information ministry said.
“He emphasized that ensuring uninterrupted traffic flow on national highways, particularly in upper regions, is a top priority.”
