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K2 climber missing after ice fall | K2 climber missing after ice fall |
(10 minutes later) | |
A climber, who became the first Irish person to summit K2 - the world's second highest mountain - has been reported missing. | A climber, who became the first Irish person to summit K2 - the world's second highest mountain - has been reported missing. |
Gerard McDonnell, 37, from Kilcornan, County Limerick, was climbing with a group of Dutch mountaineers when they were hit by falling ice. | Gerard McDonnell, 37, from Kilcornan, County Limerick, was climbing with a group of Dutch mountaineers when they were hit by falling ice. |
The group had been cut off 8,000 metres from the base of the mountain. | The group had been cut off 8,000 metres from the base of the mountain. |
Six climbers in total have been reported missing. | Six climbers in total have been reported missing. |
Mr McDonnell's group have been on the mammoth expedition for the last eight weeks, battling sub-zero temperatures. | Mr McDonnell's group have been on the mammoth expedition for the last eight weeks, battling sub-zero temperatures. |
In an online despatch, he said that after the team set 31 July as their date for the summit bid, spirits were high. | In an online despatch, he said that after the team set 31 July as their date for the summit bid, spirits were high. |
"Let luck and good fortune prevail, fingers crossed," he wrote. | "Let luck and good fortune prevail, fingers crossed," he wrote. |
Newry mountaineer Banjo Bannon said people should not give up hope yet. | |
"I wouldn't panic just yet, it's too early. It's more than likely just a communication issue," he said. | |
"I knew there was ice fall just above the bottleneck and some of the ice must have dislodged their fixed ropes, so it's just a slow process of down-climbing at the moment." |
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