First Swiss woman on Everest deplores ‘tragedy’ on K2
The death of a Pakistani porter on the world's second highest mountain at the end of July “could and should have been prevented”, Swiss mountaineer Evelyne Binsack has told newspaper Blick.
Binsack was commentingExternal link on the death of Muhammad Hassan, a Pakistani man employed as a porter who died after an accident last month on the second highest mountain in the world.
Reports suggest that while Hassan lay alive on the ground, many other climbers simply passed around him on their ascent.
“On the mountain, tourists become animals,” Binsack told Blick. “There is no reason for somebody to die”.
The problem is societal, she says: more and more people who think only of their ego and their bucket list are heading to the world’s highest peaks, which have become a “tourism Eldorado”.
Many tourists pay huge sums of money to be flown into base camps before they climb to the summit with the help of Sherpas and porters like Hassan – without whose support most of them wouldn’t get far, Binsack said.
The Swiss mountaineer, who has reached the summit of Mount Everest three times, says the “decaying values” in the climbing world are one reason she is no longer interested in taking on any more “eight-thousandersExternal link”.
The exact circumstances of Hassan’s death are still unclear. Regional authorities in Pakistan have since opened an investigation into the death, according to Swiss public broadcaster, SRF.
Popular Stories
More
Foreign affairs
European nations snub Swiss-made weapons over Ukraine restrictions
Is reforming the Swiss pension system still possible, and if so, how?
Solutions still need to be found to meet the challenge of an ageing population and to improve the pensions of low-paid workers, the majority of whom are women.
What do you think Switzerland’s Alain Berset can bring to the Council of Europe?
The former interior minister is to become the first Swiss Secretary General of the Council of Europe – which issues should his five-year term focus on?
This content was published on
The majority of high level decisions in Swiss companies remains in the hands of men, says the latest Gender Intelligence Report.
Swiss canton wants to test collection of electronic signatures for initiatives
This content was published on
St Gallen wants to become the first Swiss canton to use electronic signatures (e-collecting) for referendums or initiatives.
Swiss government launches attempt to secure 2038 Winter Olympics
This content was published on
After failing to host the Winter Olympics in 2030 and 2034, Switzerland is trying again - this time for the 2038 Winter Games.
Study highlights Swiss cantons’ failings over adoptions from India
This content was published on
A Swiss study released on Friday has revealed that cantons Thurgau and Zurich are responsible for shortcomings linked to adoptions of children from India.
Glacier melt causes changes to Swiss-Italian border
This content was published on
Switzerland has adapted its borders with Italy and France. The changes with Italy are linked to melting glaciers, while those with France concern a tram line and rivers in the Geneva region.
Zermatt restaurateurs sentenced for defying Covid-19 measures
This content was published on
A Swiss court has given three restaurateurs in Zermatt, who were arrested in 2021 after repeatedly ignoring police orders to close their establishment, suspended sentences and fines.
Report: one in five Swiss tunnels damaged, but safe
This content was published on
According to Switzerland's Federal Roads Office (Astra), national roads are in good condition overall. Almost one in five tunnels has moderate damage but they are safe, it said on Thursday.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.