An avalanche struck Camp 1 on K2, the world’s second-highest mountain, on Friday, 18 July, at around 2:30 p.m.

The incident resulted in the death of Iftikhar Sadpara and injured a foreign mountaineer, according to the Alpine Club of Pakistan (ACP).

The avalanche occurred approximately 500 metres above the base camp. Four climbers were caught in its path. Two of them managed to return safely to the Advanced Base Camp, while a foreign climber sustained minor injuries.

Local climber Iftikhar Hussain, a resident of Sadpara, Skardu, lost his life in the avalanche. His body was recovered and brought down to the base camp.

Following the incident, the expedition outfitter submitted a formal request to Major General Irfan Arshad, President of the Alpine Club of Pakistan and Askari Aviation for a mercy helicopter operation to recover the deceased climber.

The request was approved on humanitarian grounds, and his body was airlifted to Skardu.

Irfan Arshad extended his condolences to the climber’s family, friends, and the wider mountaineering community.

He stated that full support would be provided during this difficult time.

Karrar Haidri, Senior Vice President of the Alpine Club of Pakistan, also expressed sadness over the incident.

He paid tribute to Iftikhar Hussain’s dedication and contributions to the mountaineering community.

Related Incident in June 2024

In a separate incident in June 2024, one of two Japanese climbers who had gone missing was found dead on Spantik mountain in northern Pakistan.

The climbers, Ryuseki Hiraoka and Atsushi Taaguchi, were trying to reach the 7,027-metre (23,054-foot) summit of the mountain in the Karakoram range when they went missing.

“The dead body of a Japanese climber was found, and a search ongoing for the second climber,” said Wali Ullah Falahi, the deputy commissioner of Shigar district, while speaking to AFP.

The body was found 300 metres (984 feet) below Camp 3, which is located at around 6,200 metres (20,341 feet). This is the area where climbers usually prepare for their final summit attempt.