Avalanche on Broad Peak Claims 4 Lives, 6 Mountaineers Missing
An avalanche struck Broad Peak in the Karakoram range in northern Pakistan on Thursday, killing four mountaineers and leaving six others missing, including renowned British-Nepali climber Nirmal Purja. The incident occurred at an altitude of approximately 7,000 metres, according to the Alpine Club of Pakistan (ACP).
Broad Peak, standing at 8,051 metres, is the world's 12th-highest mountain. Located near K2, it is considered one of the most challenging peaks to climb due to its steep faces and unpredictable weather. The 10-member climbing team was attempting a summit push when the avalanche hit around 9 a.m. local time on Thursday. The team comprised six climbers from Nepal, one each from Pakistan, Oman, the United States, and China. All 10 members were swept away by the avalanche.
Rescue teams recovered four bodies on Friday. The ACP identified two of the deceased as Nadhira Ahmed Abdullah Al Harthy of Oman and Pur Bahadur Gurung of Nepal. The identities of the other two victims have not yet been officially confirmed.
Search operations are continuing despite adverse weather conditions, which have severely hampered rescue efforts. Two Pakistan Army Aviation helicopters have been deployed, but officials said the mountainous terrain and bad weather are limiting their operations. The helicopters face operational constraints in the high-altitude environment.
The missing climbers include Purja, along with Kili Pemba Sherpa, Nima Sherpa, Nawang Thindu Sherpa, and Gyalu Sherpa of Nepal. The other missing climbers are Sohail Sakhi of Pakistan, Wang Zhong of China, and Mallory Geis of the United States.
Nepal's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it is closely monitoring the situation. The Nepali Embassy in Islamabad is coordinating with local authorities, including the ACP, to support the swift and safe search and rescue of all affected climbers. Pakistani authorities have assured Nepal that all available resources will be mobilised to carry out the operation as quickly as possible.
Purja, also known as "Nims Dai," is widely regarded as one of the world's leading high-altitude mountaineers. The 43-year-old has set several records since becoming a full-time climber and expedition guide. In 2019, he climbed all 14 peaks above 8,000 metres in six months and six days under his "Project Possible" expedition, a feat that brought him international recognition.
In 2021, he was part of the team of 10 Nepali climbers that made the first successful winter ascent of K2. Before his mountaineering career, Purja served in the British military for 16 years, including with the Brigade of Gurkhas and the Royal Marines' elite Special Boat Service (SBS). According to the UK's Gurkha Museum, he is the first Gurkha to join the SBS.
His passion for mountaineering began after trekking to Everest Base Camp in December 2012. "This experience fired his passion and ambition for the mountains almost immediately," the museum's website states. After leaving the military in 2020, Purja announced his new enterprise 'Nimsdai' and continued to pursue climbing expeditions.
Ang Tshering Sherpa, former president of the Nepal Mountaineering Association, described Purja as "one of the best climbers" in the world. "He has climbed eight thousanders for most of the time," he added.
The Alpine Club of Pakistan and local authorities continue to coordinate rescue operations, with the safety of the remaining climbers as the priority. The search is ongoing, and no further updates have been provided.
