By ISLAMABAD: Two missing Japanese climbers were sighted by helicopter on Thursday in Pakistan’s northern mountains, known for towering peaks, though their condition remains uncertain, a tour operator confirmed.
Ryuseki Hiraoka and Atsushi Taguchi were attempting to conquer the 7,027-metre (23,054-foot) Spantik mountain in the Karakoram range before losing contact.
“The rescuers identified the climbers by their clothing but couldn’t ascertain their condition,” said Naiknam Karim, CEO of Adventure Tours Pakistan (ATP), which organized the expedition, speaking to AFP.
Military helicopters spotted them during a search operation on Thursday, which was hampered by adverse weather conditions.
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“There has been no communication from the climbers since they left basecamp,” Karim had earlier reported. “They were last seen on June 10 above 5,000 metres.”
Concerns escalated after another Japanese team raised alarms upon reaching Camp 2 at approximately 5,650 metres, where Hiraoka and Taguchi were expected.
The search, suspended due to weather, is set to resume on Friday.
“An 8-member rescue team, including five Japanese climbers, will trek up to locate them,” Karim added.
Arriving at base camp on June 3, the climbers aimed to ascend without porter assistance.
Spantik, nicknamed the Golden Peak, is noted for its accessibility compared to other peaks in the region.
Pakistan hosts five of the world’s 14 peaks over 8,000 metres, including K2, the second highest.
In 2023, over 8,900 foreign tourists explored the remote Gilgit-Baltistan region, official figures show
