A rescue helicopter has spotted the figures of Kazuya Hiraide and Kenro Nakajima on the West Face of K2 after they reportedly fell from 7,500m. The two Japanese are not moving, but their condition is unknown. The altitude is too high for a helicopter to land, the Pakistani news site Dawn.com confirms.
As we previously reported, Hiraide and Nakajima went missing on K2 earlier today. They had begun a summit push via a new alpine-style route on the West Face.
Journalist Jamil Nagri of Dawn.com wrote that news of the fall came from Waliullah Falahi, the Shigar Deputy Commissioner in Gilgit-Baltistan.
Several hours ago, two army helicopters flew directly from Skardu to K2 and began a search. Observers on board spotted the two motionless alpinists.
A ground rescue team will try to reach them as soon as possible, but it is already dark in Pakistan.
We will update this story when more information is available.
