Two Dutch mountaineers have been brought to safety in a Pakistan military hospital after being surprised by an avalanche in their attempt to climb the infamous K2 mountain.

Both men have severe frostbite, the expedition’s organiser, Norit K2, reports on its website.
Wilco van Rooijen and Cas van de Gevel were flown to the Pakistan city of Skardu by helicopter on Monday morning.
Several expeditions to climb the second highest (8,611m) and most dangerous mountain in the world were disrupted on Friday when bad weather hit the summit. At least four climbers died and nine are still missing but none of these are Dutch.
Van Rooijen and Van de Gevel were cut off from the rest of the expedition during their descent, when a falling ice block cut their ropes.
Van de Gevel managed to reach a base camp, but Van Rooijen spent three days in what is known as the mountain’s death zone. His satellite telephone revealed his location.
The K2 is known as the most dangerous mountain in the world for climbers because of its unpredictable character. Around 280 people have reached the summit; 66 are reported to have died over the years.