ISLAMABAD: A Pakistani climber named Iftikhar Hussain was killed this week and a foreigner sustained injuries after an avalanche struck Camp 1 at K2, the world’s second-highest peak, state-run media reported.
The incident took place on Friday when the camp was struck by an avalanche at approximately 2:30 pm, state-run Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) said in a report, citing a press release from the Alpine Club of Pakistan (ACP) on Saturday.
The state media said that the avalanche occurred around 500 meters above the base camp, catching four climbers in its path. Two managed to return safely to the Advance Base Camp, while the foreign climber suffered minor injuries.
“Local climber Iftikhar Hussain, a resident of Sadpara, Skardu, lost his life in the incident,” APP reported on Saturday. “His body was recovered and brought down to the base camp.”
Standing at 8,611 meters (28,251 feet) on the Pakistan-China border, K2 is 238 meters shorter than Everest but is considered technically more challenging— earning it the nickname “Savage Mountain.”
Following the incident, the expedition outfitter submitted a formal request to Major General Irfan Arshad, the president of the ACP and Askari Aviation, for a mercy helicopter operation to repatriate the deceased.
The request was approved on humanitarian grounds, after which Hussain’s body was airlifted to Skardu in northern Pakistan.
Pakistan’s northern Gilgit-Baltistan region is home to some of the tallest peaks in the world and a major tourist destination. Thousands of tourists and foreign climbers visit the region each year for expeditions on various peaks, paragliding and other sports activities.
Pakistan has produced several professional climbers, both men and women, who have summited some of the world’s tallest peaks in recent years.
