Ten mountaineers missing in avalanche in northern Pakistan

Ten international mountaineers are missing after an avalanche hit their expedition on K2 in northern Pakistan, the Alpine Club of Pakistan announced. The group was on the mountain when the avalanche occurred.

Among those missing is Nirmal Purja, a celebrated Nepali-British climber famous for summiting all 14 of the world's highest peaks in a record 189 days in 2019. His disappearance adds a high-profile element to the unfolding rescue effort.

Rescue teams are working to initiate a search operation. However, the feasibility and speed of the search are contingent upon prevailing weather conditions and operational challenges on the mountain. K2, standing at 8,047 meters, is the world's second-highest mountain and is known for its extreme difficulty and dangerous conditions.

The incident highlights the inherent risks associated with high-altitude mountaineering, particularly on challenging peaks like K2. The remote location and harsh environment present significant obstacles for rescue efforts.