The body of Dr Asma Mushtaq, a 34-year-old NHS obstetrics and gynaecology doctor at Birmingham Heartlands Hospital, has been recovered after she died descending Spantik, a 23,000ft peak in Pakistan, on 20 August. She fell ill with a serious high-altitude medical emergency at around 6,400m shortly after reaching the summit, and despite her guides' efforts she could not be saved. Severe weather then prevented her body being brought down for over a week, prompting a hazardous rescue operation.

A six-person team of high-altitude porters made repeated attempts to retrieve her, with an earlier mission forced to retreat by heavy snow and strong winds, and fresh snowfall later burying the site and requiring an extensive search. As helicopters cannot operate at that altitude, the recovery had to be completed on foot, with the body reaching Camp II by 31 August before continuing towards base camp, from where a Pakistan Army helicopter will fly it to Skardu. Dr Mushtaq, originally from Lahore, was part of a five-member Pakistani women's expedition and an experienced mountaineer with previous ascents including Musa ka Musalla; colleagues in Birmingham and the Alpine Club of Pakistan paid tribute to her dedication and courage.