2 more Japanese climbers die in Pakistan, taking tally to 5 this year

By Aamir Latif

KARACHI, Pakistan (AA) - Two Japanese climbers who fell from K2, the world's second-tallest mountain, have been officially declared dead, raising the number of the country's mountaineers who died in Pakistan this year to five, a tour operator told Anadolu on Wednesday.

Kazuya Hiraide and Kenro Nakajima, who traveled to Pakistan's northern Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B) region to take on the challenge of the west face of K2, using the alpine style approach, fell from a height of 7,500 meters (24,606 feet) off the 8,611-meter (28,251 ft) peak K2 on July 28.

"Their death certificates have been issued (by Pakistani authorities) to their families, who (family members) arrived in Pakistan a few days ago, and are leaving today (Wednesday)," said Naiknam Kareem, the head of Naiknam Tours that arranged the deceased climbers' expedition.

The climbers' bodies were spotted last week but could not be recovered due to "extremely" dangerous nature of the K2's west face terrain, he added.

Waliullah Falahi, the deputy commissioner of Shigar district of G-B, which is home to K2, however, told Anadolu that a ground operation could not be launched due to the difficult terrain.

A Pakistan army helicopter could not land to pick the mountaineers because of high altitude, he added.

Hiraide, a renowned mountaineer, had won three Piolets d'Or awards, the most prestigious accolade in the field of alpinism.

G-B is home to five of 14 highest peaks in the world. It has seen several mountain accidents involving Japanese climbers in recent months.

Apart from the fresh casualties, three Japanese climbers have been killed while trying to scale the 7,027-meter Spantik Peak, also known as Golden Peak, in alpine style since June.

Alpine style, characterized by minimal use of fixed ropes and support, emphasizes speed and efficiency, and is known for its high level of difficulty and risk.