- An avalanche on Broad Peak has left 10 international climbers missing, including renowned record-breaking mountaineer Nirmal “Nims” Purja.
- Rescue teams located four bodies at 6,600 meters, but hazardous conditions and remote terrain are hindering recovery efforts.
- The expedition includes nationals from Nepal, Pakistan, China, Oman, and the U.S., with army helicopters supporting search operations.
- Authorities from Pakistan, Nepal, and China are coordinating resources as the search continues in the dangerous Karakoram range.
Islamabad/Kathmandu: Pakistani rescue teams have located the bodies of four climbers after an avalanche struck Broad Peak, leaving 10 international mountaineers missing, including renowned Nepali climber Nirmal “Nims” Purja, officials said Friday.
The avalanche occurred on Thursday afternoon at an altitude of around 6,600 metres on Broad Peak, an 8,051-metre mountain in Pakistan’s Gilgit-Baltistan region. The peak is the 12th-highest mountain in the world and is considered one of the most challenging climbs in the Karakoram range.
The missing climbers have been out of communication since the avalanche, according to the Alpine Club of Pakistan (ACP). Rescue operations continued on Friday, with authorities describing the search area as remote and extremely difficult.
Sajid Hussain, deputy director of the tourism department in Gilgit-Baltistan, said rescue teams were focusing their efforts on the affected area despite severe conditions.
“The search is continuing in a remote and difficult area,” Hussain said.
Pakistani security officials confirmed that four bodies had been located but had not yet been recovered due to the hazardous terrain. Authorities have not released details about the identities of those found.
The ACP said two Pakistan Army Aviation helicopters had been deployed to support the rescue operation.
“We remain hopeful for the safe recovery of the missing climbers,” the club said in a statement, adding that the expedition team had lost communication after the avalanche.
International Team Caught in Avalanche
The expedition involved 10 climbers from Nepal, Pakistan, Oman, China and the United States, according to the ACP.
Nepal’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that six Nepali nationals were among those missing. The ministry said it had been informed by Pakistani authorities that all available resources would be mobilized for search and rescue operations.
“The Pakistani authorities have assured that necessary resources will be deployed for timely search and rescue,” Nepal’s Foreign Ministry said.
China’s Foreign Ministry also said it was closely monitoring the situation. Chinese spokesperson Mao Ning said authorities were verifying details and were prepared to provide assistance based on Pakistan’s requirements.
Nirmal Purja Among Missing Climbers
The disappearance of Nirmal Purja has drawn widespread attention in Nepal and the international mountaineering community.
Purja, 43, became globally recognized after completing all 14 of the world’s mountains above 8,000 metres in a record six months and six days in 2019. His achievement was documented in the 2021 Netflix documentary 14 Peaks: Nothing Is Impossible.
Before becoming a professional climber, Purja served in the British military’s elite Special Boat Service. His record-breaking mountaineering achievement established him as one of the world’s most prominent high-altitude climbers.
Friends and colleagues expressed concern following news of the avalanche. Mingma David Sherpa, a business partner of Purja, said he was travelling to Pakistan after learning about the incident.
Three Sherpa Guides Missing
Nepal-based expedition company Seven Summit Treks confirmed that three of its Sherpa guides were among the missing climbers.
Chhang Dawa Sherpa, a board director of the company, said the team’s final tracked location was at approximately 6,600 metres before the avalanche struck.
“The team members’ last tracked location was at 6,600 metres and they fell straight from there,” Chhang said.
The company has been coordinating with authorities and waiting for further updates from the rescue teams.
Difficult Rescue Conditions
Broad Peak’s high altitude, unpredictable weather and difficult terrain have complicated rescue efforts. Experts say survival chances in such conditions depend heavily on factors such as the depth of snow burial, injuries, access to emergency shelter and the speed of rescue operations.
The Karakoram mountain region, where Broad Peak is located, is known for some of the world’s most dangerous climbing routes. Although thousands of climbers attempt high-altitude expeditions in Nepal and Pakistan each year, avalanches and sudden weather changes continue to pose serious risks.
Broad Peak and the Challenge of 8,000-Metre Mountains
Broad Peak is one of the 14 mountains in the world that rise above 8,000 metres. Of these, eight are located in Nepal, five in Pakistan and one in Tibet.
Only a few dozen climbers worldwide have successfully climbed all 14 of these peaks, making the achievement one of the greatest challenges in mountaineering.
Purja’s record-breaking accomplishment placed him among this elite group and brought renewed global attention to Himalayan and Karakoram mountaineering.
As rescue operations continue, families of the missing climbers and the international climbing community remain anxiously awaiting further information from Pakistani authorities. Rescue teams have said they will continue searching despite the extreme risks posed by the mountain.
