Body of Missing Man Found on Melting Glacier After 28 Years

The family of a missing man whose body was discovered on a melting glacier in Pakistan after 28 years expressed on Thursday that its recovery had brought them some measure of relief.

The remains of 31-year-old Nasiruddin were spotted by locals near the edge of the shrinking Lady Meadows Glacier in the Kohistan region of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.

Background and Discovery

Nasiruddin and his brother had fled to the mountains following a dispute in their village in 1997. During this escape, Nasiruddin fell into a crevasse, while his brother survived the ordeal.

“Our family left no stone unturned to trace him over the years,” Malik Ubaid, the nephew of the deceased, told AFP by phone.

“Our uncles and cousins visited the glacier several times to see if his body could be retrieved, but they eventually gave up as it wasn’t possible.”

Personal Details

Nasiruddin, who was known by only one name, was a husband and father to two children. His well-preserved body was discovered on 31 July by a local shepherd, still carrying his identity card. He was subsequently buried on Wednesday.

“Finally, we have got some relief after the recovery of his dead body,” Ubaid added.

Geographic and Environmental Context

Kohistan is a mountainous region situated in the outer reaches of the Himalayas. Pakistan is home to more than 13,000 glaciers — the highest number outside the polar regions globally.

However, these glaciers are rapidly melting due to rising global temperatures linked to human-driven climate change, accelerating their shrinkage.

This poignant discovery highlights the severe impact of climate change on the region’s glaciers, while providing a long-awaited closure for Nasiruddin’s family after nearly three decades.