Investigation Launched into Death of Pakistani Porter on K2 Amid Allegations of Negligence by Climbers

Investigation Launched into Death of Pakistani Porter on K2

ISLAMABAD (AP) — An investigation has been launched into the death of a Pakistani porter near the peak of K2, the world’s second-highest mountain. The investigation comes after allegations that dozens of climbers walked past the gravely injured porter without offering assistance.

The incident occurred on July 27, overshadowing a record set by Norwegian climber Kristin Harila and her Sherpa guide, Tenjin. Harila and Tenjin became the world’s fastest climbers by scaling the world’s 14 highest mountains in just 92 days.

Harila has rejected any responsibility for the death of the porter, Mohammed Hassan, who slipped and fell off a narrow trail in a dangerous area of K2 known as the bottleneck. In an Instagram post, Harila expressed anger at those blaming others for the tragic death and stated that no one was at fault.

However, two other climbers who were on K2 that day, Austrian Wilhelm Steindl and German Philip Flaemig, have alleged that Hassan could have been saved if climbers had given up their summit attempts to rescue him. They reconstructed the events by reviewing drone footage, which showed climbers passing the injured porter.

Karrar Haidri, secretary of the Pakistan Alpine Club, confirmed that an investigation into Hassan’s death is underway. The investigation is being conducted by officials in the Gilgit-Baltistan region, which has jurisdiction over K2.

The drone footage reviewed by Steindl showed one man attempting to keep Hassan warm and alive. It was later revealed that the man was Hassan’s friend, also a Pakistani high altitude porter. Steindl criticized the climbers for not initiating a rescue operation and highlighted a double standard, suggesting that if a Westerner had been in the same situation, everything would have been done to save them.

Harila explained that Hassan had been dangling from a rope, head down, after his fall at the bottleneck. Her team eventually managed to pull him back onto the trail. Harila decided to continue to the summit while another team member stayed with Hassan, providing him with water and oxygen.

Hassan’s apparent lack of equipment has also been questioned. Harila stated that he did not have a down suit, gloves, or oxygen. She also mentioned that there were no signs of a mask or oxygen tank.

In Hassan’s home village, friends and neighbors offered prayers of condolence to his family. A childhood friend, Basharat Hussain, described Hassan’s determination to provide opportunities for his children. He expressed sadness over his friend’s death and hoped that such incidents would not occur in the future.

Anwar Syed, the head of the expedition company Hassan was working for, confirmed that he died about 150 meters below the summit. Several people attempted to help him but were unsuccessful. Due to the dangerous conditions at the bottleneck, it is not possible to retrieve Hassan’s body and hand it to his family.

Steindl, along with other climbers, visited Hassan’s family and set up a crowd-funding campaign to support them. Donations quickly exceeded the target amount, reflecting the sympathy and support for Hassan’s family.

The investigation into Hassan’s death will shed light on

What are the potential implications of this incident on future climbing expeditions on K2 and the ethical responsibilities of climbers towards each other

D by a team of mountaineering experts and is expected to determine the exact circumstances leading to the porter’s death and whether any climbers were negligent in their actions.

Haidri emphasized the importance of the mountaineering community practicing responsible climbing and helping those in need on the mountain. He stated that climbers have a duty to assist fellow climbers or porters in distress and that failure to do so is seen as a violation of mountaineering ethics.

K2, located in the Karakoram Range on the Pakistan-China border, is notorious for its challenging and dangerous terrain. The narrow paths and steep slopes make it a treacherous climb, and accidents can happen quickly.

The incident has sparked a debate within the mountaineering community about the ethics of climbing and the responsibility climbers have towards each other. Some argue that the pursuit of personal goals should not overshadow the importance of human life and safety. They believe that climbers should prioritize helping a fellow climber in need over reaching the summit.

Others, however, maintain that climbing K2 requires complete focus and dedication, and that stopping to rescue someone could jeopardize their own safety and the success of their climb. They argue that climbers should not be held responsible for the choices made by others on the mountain.

The investigation will aim to provide clarity on these issues and may have implications for future climbing expeditions on K2. It is hoped that the incident will serve as a reminder for climbers to prioritize safety and the well-being of their fellow climbers, even in challenging and competitive environments.