Rescuers are continuing a search for 10 missing climbers after an avalanche struck Broad Peak in northern Pakistan on Thursday, while four bodies have been recovered so far. The expedition, led by famed British-Nepali climber Nirmal Purja, lost contact with its base camp following the avalanche, prompting a multi-national search-and-rescue operation.
The Gilgit-Baltistan region’s police spokesperson confirmed in a statement that preliminary reports indicated four bodies had been recovered, though their identities have not been disclosed. The search effort has been hindered by adverse weather conditions, which have limited helicopter flights, according to Amjad Hussain, the region’s Chief Minister.
The Alpine Club of Pakistan reported the expedition included five Nepali climbers, Pakistani mountaineer Sohail Sakhi, Omani climber Nathira, American climber Mallory Geis, a Chinese climber identified only as Wang, and another foreign climber. The team was attempting to scale Broad Peak when the avalanche struck, cutting off all communication with their base camp.
China’s Foreign Ministry stated it was working to verify whether any of its nationals were among the missing climbers. Mao Ning, a spokesperson for the ministry, said China was prepared to assist Pakistani authorities and provide support for any Chinese citizens involved. The ministry did not confirm whether Wang was among the missing.
Nirmal Purja, 43, is widely recognized for climbing the world’s 14 highest peaks in a record 189 days in 2019, an achievement documented in the Netflix film 14 Peaks: Nothing is Impossible. His record was later surpassed by another climber, though Purja remains a prominent figure in high-altitude mountaineering.
The Pakistani military has joined the search effort, deploying helicopters to locate the remaining climbers. The Alpine Club of Pakistan emphasized the dangerous conditions, noting that avalanches are a persistent risk in the Himalayan region. Officials have not provided further details on the climbers’ last known locations or the cause of the avalanche.
The search operation remains active as authorities assess the feasibility of further rescue efforts amid worsening weather.