A sudden glacier burst in the Matiltan valley of Kalam, Swat, has left a group of seven mountaineers caught in its path. Rescue officials say the climbers were making their way toward the base camp of Chhota K2 when the ice mass gave way without warning.
The incident has put local rescue services on high alert in one of Swat’s most rugged and remote stretches, an area already known for its glaciers, dense forest, and difficult terrain.
How the Accident Unfolded
According to rescue teams, the group was moving along the route to Chhota K2’s base camp when the glacier collapse hit them directly. Three of the climbers — all from Rawalpindi — sustained injuries in the incident and were shifted to Saidu Sharif Hospital for treatment.
Officials confirmed that a medical team was dispatched immediately after District Emergency Officer Syed Shoaib Mansoor issued instructions following the Swat glacier burst. The team administered first aid to the injured climbers at the scene before transporting them to the hospital.
- 3 climbers injured — all residents of Rawalpindi, now under treatment at Saidu Sharif Hospital
- 3 climbers unharmed — safely accounted for after the incident
- 1 climber missing — Syed Ali Shah of Khwazakhela, search still underway
Search Continues for Missing Climber Near Chhota K2
Rescue officials say the search for the missing mountaineer, Syed Ali Shah of Khwazakhela, is ongoing. The operation has been complicated by the location itself — a remote, hard-to-access mountainous stretch that limits how quickly rescue teams can move and operate.
Authorities noted that the difficult terrain surrounding the Matiltan glacier burst site poses a real challenge for search crews, both on foot and in terms of equipment access.
Officials say the search operation remains active and that updates will be issued as soon as further developments emerge. For now, attention remains on locating the missing climber while the three injured mountaineers continue receiving care in Saidu Sharif.