Pakistani climber killed, foreigner injured in K2 avalanche
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.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Arab News
15 hours ago
- Arab News
Bangladesh take second T20I for first series win over Pakistan
DHAKA: Bangladesh survived a late onslaught by Faheem Ashraf and Ahmed Daniyal to pull off a narrow eight-run victory in the second T20I match on Tuesday, winning a first-ever series in the format against Pakistan. For the latest updates, follow us @ArabNewsSport Ashraf hit an aggressive 32-ball 51 while debutant Daniyal smashed an 11-ball 17 but holed out off the second ball of the final over as Pakistan were all out for 125 in their chase of 134 to win in Dhaka. Earlier, Jaker Ali struck a 48-ball 55 as Bangladesh — sent in to bat — were bowled out for 133 in 20 overs, with Salman Mirza taking 2-17 and Daniyal close behind on 2-23. Left-arm Bangladesh pacer Shoriful Islam picked up his best T20I figures of 3-17 on a slow-paced Mirpur pitch as Pakistan lost their first five wickets for just 15 runs by the fifth over. Ashraf cracked four sixes and as many boundaries to raise hopes of a comeback win, but spinner Rishad Hossain bowled him in the penultimate over. Ashraf and Abbas Afridi, who scored a 13-ball 19, had revived the innings from 47-7 with a 41-run stand, but Bangladesh had the last laugh. Bangladesh won the first match at the same venue by seven wickets and took an unassailable 2-0 lead with the final match on Thursday, also in Dhaka. This was Bangladesh's first T20I series win over Pakistan in four tries. Pakistan lost opener Saim Ayub to a run out for one in the first over before Islam dismissed Fakhar Zaman (8) and Mohammad Haris (0) to hit Pakistan hard at the top. Bangladesh skipper Litton Das praised a team effort. 'It's wonderful to win back-to-back series,' said Litton, who also led the team to a 2-1 T20I series in Sri Lanka last week. 'This shows good improvement in our standards.' Pakistan captain Salman Agha rued his side's batting lapses. 'We thought 134 would be gettable but we lost too many wickets early on and that's something we must address quickly,' said Agha. Earlier, Jaker smashed five sixes and a boundary for his third T20I half century. Bangladesh had lost four wickets for 28 by the sixth over before Jaker and Mahedi Hasan revived the innings with a 53-run stand for the fifth wicket. Mahedi scored a 25-ball 33 with two sixes and as many boundaries.
Arab News
a day ago
- Arab News
Pakistan wins toss and puts Bangladesh into bat in second T20
DHAKA: Pakistan cricket captain Salman Ali Agha won the toss and put Bangladesh into bat in the second T20 on Tuesday. Pakistan handed Ahmed Daniyal his international debut. He replaces leg-spinner Abrar Ahmed in the team's only change after it lost the first match by seven wickets. Bangladesh made two changes with Naim Sheikh replacing opener Tanzid Hasan and paceman Shoriful Islam coming in for Taskin Ahmed. The third and final match in the series is in Mirpur on Thursday. Line-ups: For the latest updates, follow us @ArabNewsSport Pakistan: Saim Ayub, Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Haris, Hasan Nawaz, Salman Ali Agha (captain), Mohammad Nawaz, Khushdil Shah, Faheem Ashraf, Abbas Afridi, Salman Mirza, Ahmed Daniyal.
Asharq Al-Awsat
a day ago
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Flash Floods Kill 3 Tourists and Leave 15 Missing in Northern Pakistan
Flash floods triggered by heavy monsoon rains swept away several vehicles carrying tourists in northern Pakistan, killing at least three people and leaving 15 others missing, officials said on Tuesday. Pakistani rescue officials say the above-normal monsoon rains since June 26 have killed at least 225 people and injured more than 500 across the country. Experts say climate change is driving an increase in extreme weather events in the region. A cloudburst caused floods and landslides on Monday, stranding more than 200 local tourists after a key highway near the northern Chilas district was blocked, said Faizullah Faraq, a government spokesperson in the Gilgit-Baltistan region. Army helicopters were used in the evacuation, which included women and children, he said. Several vehicles had been buried under the rubble of landslides and rescuers are using heavy machinery to find the missing tourists and residents, Faraq said. Three bodies have been recovered. The National Disaster Management Authority issued an updated flood days before, warning against travel to northern areas due to potential landslides and blocked roads. Earlier this month, authorities warned they cannot rule out a repeat of extreme weather like the 2022 floods that submerged a third of the country and killed 1,737 people.
