Japanese climber dies in Spantik mountain fall

Onishi Hiroshi, 64, was returning from an expedition up the 7,027-metre Spantik mountain

By AFP
July 04, 2024
A representational image taken on July 15, 2023 of K2, world’s second tallest mountain from its Base camp in the Karakoram range of Gilgit–Baltistan. — AFP
A representational image taken on July 15, 2023 of K2, world’s second tallest mountain from its Base camp in the Karakoram range of Gilgit–Baltistan. — AFP

GILGIT: A Japanese climber fell to his death while descending Spantik mountain in Pakistan, a local official said Wednesday, weeks after two compatriots were declared dead on the same peak.

Onishi Hiroshi, 64, was returning from an expedition up the 7,027-metre Spantik mountain when the incident happened on Tuesday.

“While descending, he fell into a crevasse near Camp 2,” Ataur Rehman Kakar, the Nagar District Deputy Commissioner, said on Wednesday. “The other climber and porters recovered the dead body and brought it to Camp 1 safely,” he added.

Hiroshi was one of four Japanese mountaineers who began their climb on June 10, supported by Pakistani porters. Two Japanese climbers died during a separate expedition last month. One of their bodies was recovered, but authorities declared the other dead after the search was called off due to adverse weather conditions.

Pakistan is home to five of the world’s 14 mountains above 8,000 metres -- including K2, the world’s second highest.