Ten international climbers led by renowned Nepalese guide Nirmal Purja are missing on Broad Peak in northern Pakistan following an avalanche, according to the Alpine Club of Pakistan. Vice President Karar Haidri stated late last night that the initial reports indicate the team was struck by the avalanche, and communication with Purja and his climbing group has been lost since the incident.
Broad Peak Avalanche Triggers Urgent Search Operations
Rescue teams are mobilizing resources as the Alpine Club of Pakistan coordinates emergency response efforts on the mountain. Club Chairman Maj. Gen. Irfan Arshad and senior leadership are in direct contact with the government to facilitate the immediate search and rescue operation, according to Haidri. Authorities are working to dispatch helicopters and other rescue resources to the area, though efforts remain dependent on changing weather and operational conditions in the Karakoram range.
Diverse Expedition Team Affected on the 8,047-Meter Peak
The missing expedition includes climbers from multiple nations undertaking the ascent of Broad Peak, the 12th highest mountain in the world at 8,047 meters. According to the Alpine Club of Pakistan, the roster features five Nepalese climbers, Sohail Sahi from Hunza in Pakistan, Omani climber Nadira, American climber Mallory Guy, a Chinese climber named Wang, and one additional foreign national. The club expressed solidarity with the families of the climbers and the international mountaineering community while monitoring the situation.
Did you know? Broad Peak, located in the Karakoram range of Northern Pakistan, reaches an elevation of 8,047 meters, making it one of the formidable high-altitude giants frequently targeted by elite mountaineering expeditions.
Background of Expedition Leader Nirmal Purja
Expedition leader Nirmal Purja, also known as Nimsdai, is a British citizen born in Nepal who gained global recognition for climbing all 14 of the world’s highest peaks in 189 days during 2019, setting a world record later broken in 2023 by a Norwegian climber and her Nepalese guide. Bulgarian climber Silvia Azdreeva previously summited Everest, Lhotse, and K2 with the prominent guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the status of Nirmal Purja and his climbing team?
According to the Alpine Club of Pakistan, Nirmal Purja and a team of nine other international climbers are missing after an avalanche struck their expedition on Broad Peak.
Where did the avalanche occur?
The incident took place on Broad Peak, the 12th highest mountain in the world, situated in the Karakoram mountain range of Northern Pakistan.
Who is coordinating the rescue operation?
The Alpine Club of Pakistan, led by Chairman Maj. Gen. Irfan Arshad and Vice President Karar Haidri, is coordinating with the government to deploy helicopters and rescue resources.
Which nationalities are represented in the missing group?
The missing team includes five Nepalese climbers, alongside participants from Pakistan, Oman, the United States, China, and another foreign nation, as reported by the Alpine Club of Pakistan.
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