Renowned Pakistani mountaineer Muhammad Iftikhar Hussain Sadpara tragically lost his life after being struck by an avalanche while climbing K2, the world’s second-highest peak. The incident occurred on July 18, 2025, around 2:30 PM, near Camp One, approximately 500 meters above the base camp.
According to Deputy Commissioner of Shigar, Arif Hussain, the avalanche hit four climbers, including three foreigners and the local climber Iftikhar Hussain. While the foreign climbers sustained only minor injuries and returned safely to the advanced base camp. Iftikhar Hussain was unable to survive the deadly avalanche. His body was later recovered and brought down to the base camp.
The expedition team immediately submitted a formal request for helicopter assistance to Major General Irfan Arshad HI (M), President of the Alpine Club of Pakistan, and Askari Aviation. The request was approved on humanitarian grounds by the Pakistan Army’s General Headquarters (GHQ). A mercy helicopter operation is currently underway to transport the deceased climber’s body to Skardu.
Major General Irfan Arshad expressed his condolences and extended full support to the family and fellow mountaineers mourning this loss. The mountaineering community across Pakistan is grieving the death of one of its passionate and courageous climbers.
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This tragic incident comes just weeks after Klara Kolouchova, a Czech climber and the first woman from her country to summit both Mount Everest and K2, died on July 4, 2025, after a fatal fall on Nanga Parbat. She was 46 years old. Authorities suspect an oxygen cylinder explosion may have caused the accident between Camp I and Camp II.
The recent back-to-back tragedies serve as a grim reminder of the risks mountaineers face. While conquering the highest peaks on Earth.
