Army rescues two Russian climbers

Three others still missing on Gasherbrum IV; search continues

ISLAMABAD:

Pakistan Army rescued two Russian climbers from the Gasherbrum IV and embarked upon another attempt on Sunday to rescue three others, who met an accident on the mountain which was known for its hazardous terrain.

The team of five Russian climbers, Sergei Nilov, Mikhail Mironov, Alexy Bautin, Sergei Mironov, and Evgeni Lablokov, had set out on a mission to retrieve the body of their fellow climber, Dmitry Golovchenko, who went missing during an expedition last year.

According to a statement, the expedition encountered an accident during their ascent when an ice formation, possibly a serac, collapsed. Currently, Sergei Nilov was missing, the statement said. Two of the climbers also sustained critical injuries.

In a swift rescue, the army evacuated two climbers to Skardu. While army helicopters were set to launch another rescue attempt to locate the three missing climbers, including Sergei Nilov.

The situation on Gasherbrum IV remains dire, with the outlook for the remaining team members growing increasingly bleak. There was little hope that the marooned mountaineers would survive beyond the next day.

Gasherbrum IV is the 17th highest mountain on Earth and the 6th highest in Pakistan, as well as the highest independent mountain under eight thousand metres in the country.

Gasherbrum, which means 'beautiful mountain' in Balti language was originally surveyed as K3. It is the 17th highest mountain in the world and 6th highest in Pakistan. It is the highest independent mountain in the country.

One of the peaks in the Gasherbrum massif, its immense West Face looms over the glacial junction of Concordia. Despite its lower height relative to the surrounding eight-thousanders, Gasherbrum IV is a challenge among mountaineers.