Irish tourist goes missing while returning from 13,500-foot Musa ka Musalla peak in Mansehra

An Irish tourist has gone missing while returning from Musa Ka Musalla a 13,500-foot mountain peak in Mansehra district prompting authorities to launch a search operation.

An Irish tourist has gone missing while returning from Musa Ka Musalla a 13,500-foot mountain peak in Mansehra district prompting authorities to launch a search operation.

According to police, the missing tourist has been identified as Alexander an Irish national who had travelled to the mountain with another foreign friend. The two tourists reportedly reached the summit together before beginning their descent.

Police said the two foreign nationals had travelled to Musa Ka Musalla without obtaining a No Objection Certificate (NOC) which is required for certain activities and travel in the area.

According to officials, the tourists decided to descend separately on their way back from the peak. They reportedly agreed to compete over who could reach the lower point first and began making their way down through different routes.

However Alexander did not return as expected and was subsequently reported missing.

A search operation has been launched to locate the missing tourist. Local authorities and rescue personnel are putting efforts to trace his whereabouts in the mountainous terrain.

Musa Ka Musalla is one of the prominent mountain peaks in the Mansehra region and attracts adventure seekers and trekkers because of its high altitude and challenging terrain. At around 13,500 feet above sea level the mountain presents significant risks particularly for visitors unfamiliar with the area.

Mountainous regions can become difficult to navigate because of steep slopes rugged paths changing weather conditions and limited communication coverage. These factors can make rescue operations particularly challenging.