The Pakistani army sent helicopters to rescue four Italian and two Pakistani climbers stranded in Northern Ghizer district yesterday.
The climbers were caught in an avalanche at an altitude of around 5,300 metres. The expedition was hit while descending a peak in the Ishkoman Valley, located in the northern district of Ghizar. One climber unfortunately did not survive the incident. The six surviving climbers have been lifted to a hospital in the nearby town of Gilgit for the treatment of injuries.
“A Pakistan army helicopter was used for this complicated but successful rescue operation, despite the fact that the stranded mountaineers were present at an altitude of around 5,300 meters,” said the Karrar Haidri, head of Pakistan’s Alpine Club.
The Italian and local climbers rescued from Malvine Jones Peak in Ishkoman Valley of #Gilgit-Baltistan #Pakistan, they were struck by an Avalanche Yesterday morning. All member have moved to Gilgit City. We wish them a quick recovery. #Italianexpedition #iskomenavalanche pic.twitter.com/b92KmIAYEM
— Trango Adventure (@TrangoAdventure) June 18, 2019
Mountaineers from across the world travel to Pakistan every year to try scaling its high northern mountains. Harsh weather and conditions have proven a test for the most experienced of climbers. Luckily, the Pakistani army is more than capable of handling such rescues.