Four bodies have been recovered after an avalanche struck Broad Peak, the 8,047-metre mountain in Pakistan’s Karakoram range, while search and rescue operations continue for climbers who remain missing, including renowned Nepal-born mountaineer Nirmal Purja.
According to The Kathmandu Post, Purja was leading a 10-member international climbing expedition when the avalanche hit around midday on Thursday.
The identities of the four recovered bodies have not yet been confirmed, Alpine Club of Pakistan president Irfan Arshad Khan said.
The Alpine Club of Pakistan said the expedition comprised five Nepalese climbers led by Purja, Pakistani climber Sohail Sakhi, Chinese climber Wang Zhong, American climber Mallory Geis, Omani climber Ahmed Abdullah Al Harthy and another foreign climber. The club said the team had been out of communication since the avalanche.
Other missing Nepalese climbers have been identified as Pur Bahadur Gurung, Kili Pemba Sherpa, Nima Sherpa and Nawang Thindu Sherpa.
In a statement, the Alpine Club said it was in constant contact with government authorities and relevant agencies to coordinate search and rescue efforts.
“Every possible effort is being made to ensure that helicopter support and all available rescue resources are mobilised at the earliest opportunity, subject to weather and operational conditions,” the statement said.
The club added that it was closely monitoring the situation and would provide further updates as more information became available.
Broad Peak, the world’s 12th-highest mountain, is one of the 14 peaks above 8,000 metres and is located in Pakistan’s Karakoram mountain range.
Purja, a former British Royal Marine, gained international recognition in 2019 after climbing all 14 of the world’s 8,000-metre peaks in just over six months, setting a record that brought him global acclaim.
-ANI
