Missing French mountaineer rescued in northern Pakistan

By Islamuddin Sajid

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan (AA) - After a hectic rescue mission, the Pakistan army and a group of foreign climbers rescued a French mountaineer from Nanga Parbat, one of the highest mountains in the world, local media reported on Sunday.

While Elisabeth Ravol was rescued, Polish climber Tomasz Mackiewicz is still missing, reported Geo News, a local broadcaster.

The operation has been suspended due to bad weather in the area.

Ravol and Mackiewics had sought help on Friday after getting stuck on Nanga Parbat, the second-highest peak in northern Pakistan.

"In response to request for rescue of two foreign mountaineers (one male, one female) who were stuck in bad weather at Nanga Parbat, two Pakistan Army helicopters carrying four rescuers are undertaking rescue mission," a Pakistan army spokesman said on Saturday.

The French and Polish Embassies in Islamabad had made the request.

The French climber’s partner, Ludovic Giambiasi, wrote on his Facebook page on Sunday that the team found Revol but were unable to find Mackiewicz.

"The rescue for Tomasz is unfortunately not possible because of the weather and altitude it would put the life of rescuers in extreme danger. It's a terrible and painful decision. We are in deep sadness. All our thoughts go out to Tomek's family and friends. We are crying,” he wrote.

Nanga Parbat is the world’s ninth-highest mountain at 8,125 meters (26,660 feet) above sea level.

Nicknamed “killer mountain” due to its notoriously difficulty, more than 30 climbers died trying to conquer Nanga Parbat before the first successful summit in 1953.