ISLAMABAD: A Pakistani climber was killed and a foreign mountaineer sustained minor injuries after an avalanche struck near Camp 1 on K2, the world’s second-highest peak, on Friday afternoon, the Alpine Club of Pakistan (ACP) said on Saturday.
The avalanche hit at approximately 2:30 PM local time, about 500 metres above the base camp.
According to the ACP, four climbers were caught in the snow slide during their ascent. Two managed to return safely to the Advance Base Camp, while one foreign climber suffered minor injuries.
The deceased was identified as Iftikhar Hussain Sadpara, a seasoned mountaineer from the village of Sadpara in Skardu, Gilgit-Baltistan. His body was retrieved shortly by Pakistan Army after the incident and brought down to base camp.
Following a formal request from the expedition outfitter, the Pakistan Army, in coordination with ACP President Major General Irfan Arshad and Askari Aviation, carried out a mercy helicopter mission on humanitarian grounds to transport Hussain’s body to Skardu, where he will be laid to rest in his hometown.
Major General Arshad expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy, offering his condolences to Hussain’s family, friends, and the mountaineering community.
“The loss of Iftikhar Hussain is a profound tragedy for the nation’s climbing community. We will continue to support the bereaved family in this difficult time,” he said.
Senior Vice President of the ACP, Karrar Haidri, also paid tribute to Hussain, lauding his dedication and contributions to high-altitude climbing in Pakistan.
“He was a passionate and committed mountaineer whose efforts brought honour to the country,” Haidri noted.
Pakistan is home to five of the world’s 14 peaks above 8,000 metres, making it a magnet for international mountaineers.
However, the challenging terrain of the Karakoram range poses severe risks, often resulting in injuries and fatalities.
The latest incident follows the death of a Japanese climber on Spantik Peak in June 2024.
The 7,027-metre summit, located in the same mountain range, claimed the life of Ryuseki Hiraoka, while his climbing partner Atsushi Taaguchi remained missing.
The tragedy also echoes the 2021 disappearance of renowned Pakistani mountaineer Mohammad Ali Sadpara, who went missing while attempting to summit K2 and was later declared dead.
Sadpara was the only Pakistani to have climbed eight of the world’s 14 eight-thousanders.
K2, which towers at 8,611 metres, is located in Gilgit-Baltistan, around 10 kilometres north of Gasherbrum IV.
It is widely regarded as one of the most dangerous mountains in the world, known for its treacherous weather, avalanches, and high fatality rate.
