Body of Chinese climber Gaun Jing recovered from K2

ISLAMABAD: A joint rescue team from Pakistan and Nepal has recovered the body of a Chinese climber who died on K2, the world’s second-highest mountain, located in northern Pakistan, according to a regional government spokesman.

Faizullah Faraq, a spokesman for the Gilgit-Baltistan government, confirmed that Guan Jing’s body was airlifted from the K2 base camp by an army helicopter after the climbers successfully brought it down from the heights.

Jing lost his life after falling rocks during the descent, just a day after reaching the summit with a group of climbers on Tuesday.

Faraq added that his body had been shifted to a hospital in Skardu city and would be sent to Islamabad after contacting his family and Chinese authorities.

Karar Haideri, vice president of the Pakistan Alpine Club, said the recovery took several days and involved difficult conditions. One of the rescuers was injured during the mission and had to be evacuated by helicopter.

Standing at 8,611 meters (28,251 feet), K2 is considered one of the most dangerous and technically demanding peaks in the world.

Jing’s death follows the recent loss of German climber and Olympic gold medalist Laura Dahlmeier, who died two weeks ago while attempting to summit another peak in the region.