A tragic mountaineering accident occurred on September 23 at Namma Peak in Kangding, Ganzi Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan, claiming the life of a 31-year-old man. The incident happened at an altitude of 5,588 meters and sparked widespread attention after video footage of the fall circulated online. The clip shows a man in red attempting to stand before suddenly leaning forward, losing his balance, and sliding down the slope. He tries repeatedly to get up but cannot stop his descent and eventually disappears from view.
According to Red Star News, the Ganzi Education and Sports Bureau confirmed on September 26 that the climber had died and that his body had been located, though recovery efforts were hampered by steep terrain and bad weather. Kangding’s Culture, Radio, and Tourism Bureau said the victim and three companions had not filed the required climbing application and were therefore ascending the peak illegally.
Sources told media that the man had unclipped his safety rope after reaching the summit to take photos for his companions. As he stood up, his crampon caught, causing him to slip and fall. His cousin told reporters that he had loosened his protection only to get a better angle for pictures, never expecting tragedy.
Officials from Kangding’s education bureau said four people took part in the climb without filing for approval. Professional rescue teams have been dispatched, and the victim’s body was expected to be brought down on the night of September 26.
Local government representatives noted that the accident site is in a non-open snow mountain area rather than an official scenic zone, and all climbing activities must be registered in advance. Authorities emphasized that climbing permits for Namma Peak have been suspended since August 2024 after the discovery of a 50-meter ice crevasse, and have not yet been reinstated.
Namma Peak, a satellite of Mount Gongga in Kangding, rises to 5,588 meters and is classified as a beginner-level technical snow mountain. Its scenic beauty and relatively low difficulty attract many climbers, but the accident underscores the dangers of unauthorized ascents during a permit ban.
