Ice formation broken

Climbers missing during rescue mission in Pakistan

A search is currently underway in Pakistan for three Russian climbers who are missing on Mount Gasherbrum IV. The team wanted to recover the body of a comrade who had an accident while climbing the peak last summer.

The mountain is almost 8000 meters high. The Pakistani army was already able to bring two of the five climbers to safety on Saturday. Two other climbers were critically injured and will probably not survive the next few days if they are not found, according to Pakistan's Alpine Club.

Search with helicopters
The condition and whereabouts of the fifth climber are uncertain. The army is currently using helicopters to search for the missing men. According to the club, an ice formation broke off during the Russians' ascent, presumably a glacier ice tower.

Gasherbrum IV in northern Pakistan is one of the highest peaks on earth (17th place). The mountain massif of the same name is also home to K2, the second highest peak in the world. Every year, mountaineers set off on the dangerous route. Even in summer, there are risks from avalanches and storms.