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British hiker Alexander Harris, 30, died after falling into a ravine on the Musa Ka Musalla mountain in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, Pakistan. His body was recovered following an extensive search operation involving over 250 volunteers and police.
The recovery operation involved over 250 volunteers and police using drones and conducting foot searches in the area before locating Alexander Harris’s body on a forest path. The local deputy commissioner noted that Harris had declined the offer of a guide and security from his hotel, stating he was familiar with the area.
A Foreign Office spokesperson confirmed that it is “supporting the family of a British man who has died in Pakistan and are in contact with the local authorities.” In response to the incident, both the Margalla Trail Runners and Adam Smith International expressed condolences, with the running group noting Harris’s passion for the region and the significance of the loss to the trail-running community.
What remains unclear — It is not confirmed whether Alexander Harris had any prior experience or knowledge of the specific routes in the area he was hiking.
British runner Alexander Harris found dead after fall in Pakistan ravine
The body of Alexander Harris has been recovered after the keen runner and hiker fell into a ravine on the Musa Ka Musalla mountain.
Harris, 30, went missing on Saturday on the 4,000-metre (13,000ft) mountain in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan.
It’s thought he strayed from the trail due to bad weather and due to limited visibility he ‘most probably slipped and fell’ to his death.
Khalid Iqbal, the area’s deputy commissioner, explained he was separated from his hiking companion at around 5.40am local time on Saturday.
‘There was a difference in their speed,’ he said. ‘He [Harris] was moving faster, he got about 1-2km ahead. Then it started raining.’
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Over 250 volunteers and police combed the area on foot and with drones before finding his body on a forest path.
Iqbal added that the hotel he was staying in offered a guide and security but he had said he ‘knew the area’ so didn’t need help.
A Foreign Office spokesperson said it was ‘supporting the family of a British man who has died in Pakistan and are in contact with the local authorities’.
His running group, Margalla Trail Runners, which is based in Islamabad, shared a tribute on social media confirming his death.
They wrote: ‘With profound sadness, we confirm that Alexander Harris, an active member of the Margalla Trail Runners community and an avid trail runner, has been found deceased following an extensive search operation.
‘According to preliminary information, Alex apparently strayed onto an incorrect trail due to adverse weather conditions and severely reduced visibility, subsequently falling into a ravine estimated to be approximately 200 feet deep.’
Originally from Birmingham, Harris also held Irish citizenship but had been living in Pakistan’s capital, working for global company Adam Smith International.
Margalla Trail Runners added: ‘Alex had a deep love for Pakistan, particularly its mountains. He was learning Urdu and was deeply fascinated by Pakistan’s culture, people and traditions.
‘He embraced the country with genuine admiration and treasured his experiences exploring its mountains.
‘We extend our deepest condolences to Alex’s family, friends, fellow runners and everyone who knew him.
‘His loss will be deeply felt by the trail-running community and all those who shared his love for the mountains of Pakistan.’
Adam Smith International also issued a statement sending thoughts to family, friends, and colleagues and extending thanks to those involved in the search.