MADRID, Jan 17: Spanish Mountaineer Sergi Mingote died during a climb of K2, the second highest summit on the planet, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez announced on Saturday, media reports said.

Taking to Twitter, Sanchez said "Sad death of Sergi Mingote on K2. He wanted to keep on making history by being part of the first expedition to climb this mountain in winter and a tragic accident ended his life." He described him as a "great sportsman".

A team of 10 Nepali mountaineers scaled Mount K2 on Saturday evening, setting a record as the first team to conquer the second tallest peak in the world in winter.

The Nepali team that included Mingma Gyalje Sherpa, Nirmal Purja Pun Magar, Gelje Sherpa, Mingma David Sherpa, Mingma Tenzi Sherpa, Dawa Temba Sherpa, Pem Chhiri Sherpa, Kilu Pemba Sherpa, Dawa Tenjing Sherpa, and Sona Sherpa reached the top at once. All ten climbers stopped 30-feet below the summit on a relatively safe spot and they conquered together in a sign of solidarity.

The mountaineers reached the top of the Pakistani peak at around 5PM local time on Saturday.  

But Mingote was not part of that team. Mingote was at an intermediate camp and fell on his way down to the base camp, injuring his leg, media reports said.

Four teams and about 60 climbers were on K2 this season, more in total than all the previous expeditions put together.

 
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