Pakistani officials said three climbers missing on the K2 mountain had died. Moreover, they also called off a rescue mission. It involved the military and international mountaineers since the group lost contact on February 5.
Muhammad Ali Sadpara of Pakistan, John Snorri of Iceland, and Juan Pablo Mohr of Chile are no more. They were last seen just 300 meters short of the summit of K2, the world’s second-highest mountain. Meanwhile, it is said the group reached the summit but faced a problem on the way down.
“So far we were searching and hoping to find them alive. But today we have officially declared them dead, so that will stop,” said Gilgit-Baltistan Tourism Minister. However, the search for the bodies of the climbers will continue, added Raja Nasir Ali Khan.
The three were last seen by Sadpara’s son, 20-year-old Sajid, said Reuters. However, he had to turn around because of an oxygen supply malfunction.
“My family and I have lost a kindhearted person. The Pakistani nation has lost a brave and great adventurous individual who was passionate about climbing,” Sajid said.
The search operation included Pakistani military helicopters flying up and down the mountain. Meanwhile, an F-16 plane photographed the ground to look for clues to where they might have taken shelter. However, extremely low temperatures and gusting winds make it nearly impossible to survive on K2 for over a few days.
Meanwhile, tributes to Sadpara poured in on Thursday, and his death was the top trend on Twitter in Pakistan. Sadpara used to help out Pakistani climbers on the world stage.
Singer Ali Zafar released a song as a tribute to the climber.
Meanwhile, singer-turned-politician Abrar-ul-Haq pledged to see through Sadpara’s dream of building a school in his village not far from K2.
‘RIP, legend’: Twitter pays tribute to Ali Sadpara
Meanwhile, two other climbers died trying to scale K2 this winter: Bulgarian Atanas Skatov and Spanish climber Sergio Mingote. Moreover, in January, American Alex Goldfarb-Rumyantzev died on a mountain nearby.
Sajid and Pakistan long waited for a miracle, but alas! He said he will follow his father’s footsteps and continue to climb. RIP Sadpara. We will miss you!
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