This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/south_asia/7539543.stm
The article has changed 16 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 6 | Version 7 |
|---|---|
| Seven feared dead in K2 avalanche | Seven feared dead in K2 avalanche |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| At least seven climbers are feared dead in an avalanche after scaling the world's second-highest mountain, K2, expedition organisers have said. | At least seven climbers are feared dead in an avalanche after scaling the world's second-highest mountain, K2, expedition organisers have said. |
| There are fears more climbers could have died in the accident in northern Pakistan, or still be trapped, but others did reach safety. | There are fears more climbers could have died in the accident in northern Pakistan, or still be trapped, but others did reach safety. |
| A chunk from an ice pillar snapped away on Friday and broke ropes on a feature called the Bottleneck, reports said. | A chunk from an ice pillar snapped away on Friday and broke ropes on a feature called the Bottleneck, reports said. |
| Only a few hundred people have climbed K2 and dozens have died in the attempt. | Only a few hundred people have climbed K2 and dozens have died in the attempt. |
| Fatality rate | Fatality rate |
| There are reports some mountaineers may be stuck above the Bottleneck, unable to descend as the fixed ropes are broken. name="goback"> class="bodl" href="#map">See route to climbing K2 | |
| Climbers call the area the Death Zone as lack of oxygen at that altitude can cause bodies to degenerate. | Climbers call the area the Death Zone as lack of oxygen at that altitude can cause bodies to degenerate. |
| The weather is thought to be fair but the Pakistani military is still unsure whether a rescue attempt can be made at such an altitude. | The weather is thought to be fair but the Pakistani military is still unsure whether a rescue attempt can be made at such an altitude. |
| One Basque climber who reached safety, Alberto Zerain, told reporters that one 18-person international expedition had hit trouble on descent. | One Basque climber who reached safety, Alberto Zerain, told reporters that one 18-person international expedition had hit trouble on descent. |
| The mountaineers include Koreans, Pakistanis, Nepalis, a Dutchman and an Italian, reports say, but there are other expeditions and nationalities and the exact details are unclear. | The mountaineers include Koreans, Pakistanis, Nepalis, a Dutchman and an Italian, reports say, but there are other expeditions and nationalities and the exact details are unclear. |
| One of the climbers reported missing is Gerard McDonnell, 37, from County Limerick in Ireland, the first Irish person to reach the mountain's summit. | One of the climbers reported missing is Gerard McDonnell, 37, from County Limerick in Ireland, the first Irish person to reach the mountain's summit. |
| Mountaineer Chris Bonnington talks about the dangers of K2 | Mountaineer Chris Bonnington talks about the dangers of K2 |
| He was on the Norit K2 expedition. Its leader, Dutchman Wilco van Rooijen, was reported safe, as was Italian climber Marco Confortola. But Frenchman Hugues d'Aubarede is missing. | He was on the Norit K2 expedition. Its leader, Dutchman Wilco van Rooijen, was reported safe, as was Italian climber Marco Confortola. But Frenchman Hugues d'Aubarede is missing. |
| Many regard K2, at 8,611 metres (28,251 ft), the most difficult mountain in the world to climb. | Many regard K2, at 8,611 metres (28,251 ft), the most difficult mountain in the world to climb. |
| The fatality rate for those who reach the summit at 27% is about three times higher than that for Mount Everest. | The fatality rate for those who reach the summit at 27% is about three times higher than that for Mount Everest. |
| One of the worst single-day death tolls was on Everest on 11 May, 1996, when eight people died in summit attempts. | One of the worst single-day death tolls was on Everest on 11 May, 1996, when eight people died in summit attempts. |
| Six people fell to their deaths or disappeared during a storm on K2 on 13 August, 1995. | Six people fell to their deaths or disappeared during a storm on K2 on 13 August, 1995. |
| The summit of K2 was first reached by two Italians, Lino Lacedelli and Achille Compagnoni, on 31 July 1954. | The summit of K2 was first reached by two Italians, Lino Lacedelli and Achille Compagnoni, on 31 July 1954. |
| Return to top | |
| Do you know anyone involved in any of the expeditions or have any information about them? Have you ever attempted to climb K2? | Do you know anyone involved in any of the expeditions or have any information about them? Have you ever attempted to climb K2? |
| Send your comments using the post form below, or text 61124. | Send your comments using the post form below, or text 61124. |