July 28, 2024 – 7:32 PM
Two Japanese climbers fell while scaling the world's second-highest mountain peak, K2, located in Pakistani territory, MTI reported, citing the deputy chief of the Sigar district in northern Pakistan.
Wali Allah Falahi to AFP He saidA rescue attempt is already underway. They also tried to bring the climbers down from K2, also called the “killer mountain,” by helicopter. However, the plane was unable to land. According to information provided by the climbers' sponsor, sporting goods manufacturer Ishii Sports, due to the high altitude and steepness, rescue helicopters were unable to reach the stranded Japanese citizens.
Falahi added that according to reports, the two men are not moving, but their deaths have not been announced yet.
Experienced climbers Kakuga Hiraide and Kenro Nakajima began their ascent of the 8,611-meter mountain on the winding western ridge in a style that favored speed and used few fixed ropes. The men fell at 7,500 meters, according to the Pakistan Alpine Club, a mountaineering and climbing association.
This summer's climbing season, three other Japanese climbers have already lost their lives on the 7,027-meter-high Mount Spantik, also in Pakistan.
