Avalanche risk halts search of Pakistani mountain for climbers
The search for two climbers on the world’s ninth-highest mountain has stalled as the risk of avalanches makes the mission increasingly dangerous.
Briton Tom Ballard and Italian Daniele Nardi have been missing for more than a week on Nanga Parbat in Pakistan, known as “Killer Mountain”.
They set out on February 22 and last made contact on February 24 while at about 6,300 metres (20,700ft).
Two Pakistani mountaineers were with the pair but had decided to turn back because they thought it was too dangerous.
This morning search team for 🇮🇹 @NardiDaniele and 🇬🇧 Tom Ballard is operating on the Kinshofer route. Plan is to search on foot with the drones. Team is lead by @AlexTxikon. pic.twitter.com/j18WVxqsZi
— Stefano Pontecorvo (@pontecorvoste) March 6, 2019
Mr Ballard is the son of Alison Hargreaves, the first woman to scale Mount Everest alone.
He was born in England and grew up in the Scottish Highlands.
Karrar Haidri, secretary of the Alpine Club of Pakistan, said on Wednesday search teams had used a drone but “no sign of the climbers was found”.
He said search efforts will continue on Thursday and that “prayers are needed for the climbers”.
