A Brazilian tourist was killed in a paragliding incident in Pakistan’s Gilgit-Baltistan region on Thursday, officials confirmed, making him the fourth foreigner to have died in the country’s northern mountainous area in less than two months.
Gilgit-Baltistan, a sparsely populated region administered by Pakistan as an autonomous territory, is home to some of the highest peaks in the world and a major tourist destination. Hundreds of tourists visit the region each year for expeditions on various peaks, paragliding and other sports activities.
Last month, two Japanese climbers went missing while attempting to summit the 7,027-meter Spartak Peak in the area’s Nagar district. The body of one of the climbers was found by Pakistani authorities, who subsequently called off the search for the other missing climber. On Wednesday, officials confirmed another Japanese climber had died as he descended the same Sputnik Peak after summiting it.
“The accident occurred today in the Shivar district’s Ankle area,” Wail Ur Rehman, the district’s deputy commissioner, told Arab News via text message. “The paraglider has been identified as Ranieri Rodrigo Cladded.”
Akhtar Shagari, a district official responsible for matters relating to foreigners, said Cladded was part of a seven-member team who were on their way to the K2 base camp.
He said of the other six foreigners, two were from France, one was from Bulgaria, two from the United States and one from Switzerland.
Shagari said all members of the team left Shivar headquarters on Wednesday for the K2 base camp but Cladded opted to paraglide from Alkali to Chula camp.
Sajid Hussain, deputy secretary for the GB Tourism Department, said the government could not stop deaths from taking place in the northern area.
“However, for the last few years, we have been strictly directing tour companies to opt for all safety measures in this field,” Hussain told Arab News.
He said only one climber lost his life whilst attempting to summit the K2 last year.
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