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K2 survivor 'taken to hospital' K2 survivor 'taken to hospital'
(2 days later)
The last known survivor of a disaster on the world's second highest peak in Pakistan has been airlifted from base camp to hospital, officials say.The last known survivor of a disaster on the world's second highest peak in Pakistan has been airlifted from base camp to hospital, officials say.
Italian Marco Confortola is reported to be severely frostbitten and will be treated by medics in nearby Skardu.Italian Marco Confortola is reported to be severely frostbitten and will be treated by medics in nearby Skardu.
He reached the K2 base camp on Tuesday, saying his companions were dead.He reached the K2 base camp on Tuesday, saying his companions were dead.
Mr Confortola was stranded on K2 after an avalanche of falling ice blocked climbers descending from the summit nearly five days ago.Mr Confortola was stranded on K2 after an avalanche of falling ice blocked climbers descending from the summit nearly five days ago.
Eleven climbers died after the ice fall swept away fixed ropes on the 8,611m (28,240 ft) peak in Pakistan on Friday.Eleven climbers died after the ice fall swept away fixed ropes on the 8,611m (28,240 ft) peak in Pakistan on Friday.
See route to climbing K2 See route to climbing K2
Some fell to their deaths, others froze, and some went missing in the freezing high altitude.Some fell to their deaths, others froze, and some went missing in the freezing high altitude.
Mr Confortola was the last of about 22 climbers involved in the disaster to be accounted for. The 11 still missing are presumed dead.Mr Confortola was the last of about 22 climbers involved in the disaster to be accounted for. The 11 still missing are presumed dead.
"He has been rescued and he is probably about to reach Skardu on the helicopter. He'll receive some medical treatment once he gets there," Italian embassy spokesman Sergio Oddo told the Reuters news agency."He has been rescued and he is probably about to reach Skardu on the helicopter. He'll receive some medical treatment once he gets there," Italian embassy spokesman Sergio Oddo told the Reuters news agency.
"He complained about a lot of pain and has some difficulties in walking.""He complained about a lot of pain and has some difficulties in walking."
Three members of Mr Confortola's support team were also flown by helicopter to Skardu, a small northern Pakistani town surrounded by mountains on the Indus river.Three members of Mr Confortola's support team were also flown by helicopter to Skardu, a small northern Pakistani town surrounded by mountains on the Indus river.
Mr Oddo said that he expected the climber to be brought to Islamabad later on Wednesday.Mr Oddo said that he expected the climber to be brought to Islamabad later on Wednesday.
On arriving at the base camp, Mr Confortola said he felt "truly happy" to be alive.On arriving at the base camp, Mr Confortola said he felt "truly happy" to be alive.
"Now I just want to take off my shoes, since my feet are hurting something awful," said the climber, who is suffering from frostbite."Now I just want to take off my shoes, since my feet are hurting something awful," said the climber, who is suffering from frostbite.
Pakistan has listed the 11 dead as three South Koreans, two Nepalis, two Pakistanis and climbers from France, Ireland, Serbia and Norway.Pakistan has listed the 11 dead as three South Koreans, two Nepalis, two Pakistanis and climbers from France, Ireland, Serbia and Norway.
Mr Confortola was brought down after four nights on the mountain by a rescue party consisting of an American climber and Pakistani high-altitude porters.Mr Confortola was brought down after four nights on the mountain by a rescue party consisting of an American climber and Pakistani high-altitude porters.
Two frostbitten Dutch climbers were taken off the mountain by helicopter on Monday.Two frostbitten Dutch climbers were taken off the mountain by helicopter on Monday.
The ice fall swept away the ropes as the fastest climbers descended, causing those higher up to be left stranded.The ice fall swept away the ropes as the fastest climbers descended, causing those higher up to be left stranded.
One Dutch survivor complained that after the disaster climbers from various different countries did not work together to survive.One Dutch survivor complained that after the disaster climbers from various different countries did not work together to survive.
K2 lies near Pakistan's northern border with China. It is regarded by mountaineers as more challenging to conquer than Mount Everest, the world's highest peak.K2 lies near Pakistan's northern border with China. It is regarded by mountaineers as more challenging to conquer than Mount Everest, the world's highest peak.
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