An avalanche has struck an Italian expedition in Pakistan’s Hindu Kush. One climber is dead. Others have a range of injuries but are believed to be alive.
The expedition, led by Tarcisio Bellò, includes fellow Italians Luca Morellato, David Bergamin and Tino Toldo, who were climbing alongside Pakistanis Nadeema, Shakeela and the avalanche victim, Imtiaz.
The avalanche overran the seven-man team at around 5,300m this morning. They were in the Ishkoman Valley, on 5,800m Melvin Jones Peak, interestingly named after the founder of the Lions Club.
Pakistani Air Force helicopters have located all the climbers except Imtiaz, who is presumed dead. An air rescue (and potential ground search) has been postponed until tomorrow because of weather. The Air Force also needs to shuttle fuel closer to the region, as the air base in Skardu is over 300km away.
The Ishkoman Valley. Photo: Ash Routen
