Rescue teams are working to locate six climbers missing after an avalanche struck an expedition on Broad Peak in northern Pakistan, according to the Alpine Club of Pakistan. Four bodies have been recovered from the 8,047-meter mountain, though victims have not yet been officially identified following the incident on Thursday.
The ten-person expedition includes climbers from Nepal, Pakistan, Oman, and the United States. According to the Alpine Club of Pakistan, search operations involve ground crews and helicopter support, though severe regional conditions continue to hinder rescue efforts. No contact has been established with the team since the avalanche occurred on the 12th highest mountain in the world, located in the Karakoram range.
Search Efforts Focus on Missing Alpinists on Broad Peak
Search and rescue teams face extreme technical difficulties due to the high altitude and severe weather on Broad Peak. According to the Alpine Club of Pakistan, four bodies have been retrieved from the site, but officials have not yet released official identifications. The multi-national expedition consists of ten members.
Among the missing is Nepali mountaineer Nirmal Purja, 43, alongside American climber Mallory Geis. Purja, widely known as “Nims,” gained international prominence in 2019 by climbing all 14 of the world’s peaks above 8,000 meters in 189 days. That project was featured in the 2021 Netflix documentary “14 Peaks: Nothing Is Impossible.”
Did you know? Nirmal Purja served for 16 years in the British military, joining the Brigade of Gurkhas in 2003 before serving in the Special Boat Service (SBS). He was named a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in 2018.
The Career and Records of Nirmal Purja
Before his disappearance, Purja established multiple milestones in high-altitude mountaineering. According to his organization, the Nimsdai Foundation, his climbing career began in 2012 following a trek to the Everest base camp. In 2019, he completed the “Possible Project,” scaling all 14 peaks over 8,000 meters in just over six months, breaking a previous record that stood at seven years.
In 2024, Purja set another record by completing the same 14 peaks without using supplemental oxygen in the shortest time recorded. Beyond his athletic achievements, Purja drew international attention in 2019 after publishing a photograph showing heavy congestion near the summit of Mount Everest. That image prompted regulatory changes for expeditions on the world’s highest peak.
Expedition Members and Regional Challenges
The group missing on Broad Peak represents several nations, including Nepal, Pakistan, Oman, and the United States. Rising to 8,047 meters, Broad Peak is part of the Karakoram range and presents severe technical climbing challenges. Ground teams and helicopters continue scanning the area as weather permits.
Pro Tip: For ongoing updates on international mountaineering rescues, monitor official updates issued by the Alpine Club of Pakistan and local rescue coordination centers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where did the avalanche occur?
The avalanche struck an expedition on Broad Peak, located in the Karakoram range in northern Pakistan.
How high is Broad Peak?
Broad Peak reaches an altitude of 8,047 meters, making it the 12th highest mountain in the world.
Who is among the missing climbers?
According to the Alpine Club of Pakistan, the missing group includes Nepali mountaineer Nirmal Purja and American climber Mallory Geis, as part of a ten-person multi-national expedition.
Have any victims been recovered?
Rescue teams have recovered four bodies from the mountain, but official identifications have not yet been released.
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