A Chinese mountaineer, Guan Jing, died after being struck by falling rocks while descending from the summit of K2, the world’s second-highest peak at 8,611 metres.

Search efforts to recover her body are currently underway, while other climbers who summited K2 that day are returning safely to base camp.

A total of 32 climbers reached the peak on Monday, with successful summits achieved by teams from Exped, Imagine Nepal, Seven Summit Treks, and Alpinist Climber Expedition.

Vice President of the Alpine Club of Pakistan, Karrar Haidri, confirmed that the incident occurred on the Abruzzi Spur route, known for frequent rockfalls. Guan had successfully reached the summit on Monday with a group of climbers before beginning her descent.

Major General Irfan Arshad, representing the Alpine Club of Pakistan, congratulated all climbers and wished them a safe descent. Notably, 15 climbers from Imagine Nepal reached the summit, achieving a 100% success rate this season.

Summiting K2 in August is uncommon, as the optimal climbing window typically occurs in July. The 2025 season faced challenges from the jet stream, with high winds limiting opportunities and forcing climbers to wait at base camp.

The expedition, led by Mingma G, who completed his sixth successful summit of K2, departed base camp on August 5 and reached the summit on Monday.

Among the summiters were climbers from Nepal, China, the United States, and Romania.

Maria Alexandra Danila became the first Romanian to summit K2, while Dilixiati Ailikuti from China became the youngest climber to achieve this feat.

Jangbu Sherpa and Sohail Sakhi completed the ascent without supplemental oxygen.

Elite Exped noted that this year’s K2 expedition tested the patience, resilience, and teamwork of all climbers.

Harsh weather conditions forced many teams to turn back, but under Mingma G’s leadership, the climbers regrouped and successfully fixed ropes above Camp 4, leading to a successful summit at 3:32pm on August 11.