Three climbers have died and a fourth is in critical condition following a fall near Denali Pass on Mount McKinley (Denali) in Alaska, North America’s highest peak.

The incident occurred on Wednesday as a seven-person Latvian expedition was traversing the West Buttress route, the most commonly used but technically demanding path to the summit.

According to the National Park Service, the group fell in a highly exposed section near Denali Pass at approximately 18,200 feet (5,550 metres), an area known for crevasses, steep ice slopes and significant fall risks.Three members of the group who were not involved in the fall assisted their injured teammates before returning to camp to raise the alarm.Rescue efforts have been complicated by poor weather conditions, with park rangers unable to immediately recover the bodies of the deceased climbers.The fourth climber who survived the fall was evacuated and is currently in critical condition.

The Latvian Mountaineering Association confirmed the deaths, noting that the victims were part of a planned expedition in a region that attracts only around 1,000 to 1,200 climbers annually during the short climbing season, typically May and June.Mount McKinley, which rises to 20,310 feet (6,190 metres), has a long history of mountaineering accidents, with more than 130 recorded fatalities.The section between Denali Pass and high camp is particularly hazardous due to unprotected traverses and unpredictable conditions.Park officials also noted that, as of Thursday, over 500 climbers were on the mountain.

The tragedy highlights the persistent dangers of high-altitude mountaineering even on established routes, where weather, terrain and fatigue can quickly become fatal factors.