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30 August 2008 08:09 BST

Ice fall kills K2 climbers

Sunday, 03 Aug 2008 20:32

Up to nine climbers killed during descent of K2, world's second highest mountain, expedition operators reveal

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At least five and as many as nine climbers have been killed during their descent of K2, the world's second highest mountain.

Tour operators have revealed disaster struck the expedition team as they journeyed down the mountain in northern Pakistan.

Five confirmed victims are believed to be from South Korea and Nepal, with other reports saying four others have been killed.

Reports claim a chunk of ice detached from the mountain, which at 28,250ft is dwarfed only by Himalayan neighbour Everest, and struck fixed lines from a gully known as the Bottleneck.

The avalanche that caused the ice to fall has also reportedly stranded a group of climbers further up the mountain.

At time of writing the Pakistani military was considering whether to launch a rescue attempt, with the climbers' other option to begin a descent into China. End of story

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Ice fall kills K2 climbers

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