Four climbers found dead after avalanche on Pakistan’s Broad Peak UPDATED

Rescuers on Broad Peak, an 8,000-metre mountain in Pakistan’s Karakoram range, have recovered the bodies of four climbers killed in an avalanche below Camp III, as search efforts continue for others still missing.

Authorities have not yet officially confirmed the identities of all the victims. However, sources involved in the expedition said those found include Nepali climber Pur Bahadur Gurung, known as “Yukta”, and Omani climber Nadhira Al-Harthi. The identities of the remaining two victims have not been disclosed.

Preliminary reports indicate that at least 10 climbers went missing after the group was hit twice by avalanches on Thursday, just below Camp III.

Search-and-rescue operations are ongoing as teams continue efforts to locate the missing climbers.

11:45

At least 10 climbers, including world-famous mountaineer Nirmal Purja, have gone missing on Pakistan’s Broad Peak after a powerful avalanche struck the mountain during an expedition, according to local officials and expedition organisers.

The incident occurred on the 8,047-metre peak, one of the world’s highest mountains, while the group was ascending between Camp 2 and Camp 3. Contact with the climbers was lost on Thursday around noon, Seven Summit Treks director Chhang Dawa Sherpa said, Caliber.Az reports, citing foreign media.

The missing climbers include five Nepali mountaineers, among them Nirmal Purja, two Pakistani high-altitude guides, and climbers from Oman, China, and the United States.

Mingma Gyabu Sherpa, co-owner of Elite Exped, said Purja’s GPS tracker was still transmitting signals and showed movement after the avalanche, but rescue teams have not yet been able to establish direct contact with him.

The Alpine Club of Pakistan, in cooperation with government agencies and the military, has launched a search-and-rescue operation. Helicopters are being used as part of efforts to locate the missing climbers.

Purja, widely known as Nimsdai, is one of the most accomplished high-altitude climbers in the world. On July 22, he reached the summit of Gasherbrum II, completing his 57th ascent of an 8,000-metre peak.

The Nepali climber is currently pursuing a project to complete three ascents of all 14 of the world’s eight-thousanders, as well as the “Seven Summits” challenge — climbing the highest mountain on each continent.