PESHAWAR, Pakistan (AP) — Rescuers have called off the search for a Japanese climber who disappeared a week ago while trying to scale one of the highest mountains in the country’s north. Pakistanofficials said Thursday.
Authorities said there was almost no chance of survival for 36-year-old Atsushi Taguchi, whose fellow climber Ryuseki Hiraoka died while climbing the 7,027-meter (23,054-foot) Spantik Peak, also known as Golden Peak. The two disappeared on June 13th and Hiraoka’s body was found on June 15th.
Golden Peak is known for the distinct golden hue cast over it at sunrise and sunset, making the peak a popular destination.
“The search for the second Japanese climber was called off on Wednesday,” said local official Nazar Hussain.
He said rescuers saw no sign of the missing climber during the search operation.
Pakistan Alpine Club secretary Karrar Haidri also said the search for the second Japanese man had been abandoned.
He declined to make any speculation about the fate of the missing climber, saying “the chances of survival in such cases are very bleak, but families hope for miracles, which happens.”
Several climbers die in Pakistan every year as they attempt to summit some of the world’s highest mountains, including K2, which is in northern Pakistan.
