GILGIT, Pakistan: A Broad Peak avalanche killed at least four members of a 10-person international expedition, while rescuers searched Friday for six climbers missing since the July 30 disaster.
Broad Peak is the 12th-highest mountain in the world, standing at 8,051 meters (26,414 ft).
Alpine Club of Pakistan President Major General Irfan Arshad confirmed the four deaths. He identified two of the climbers as Oman’s Nadhira Ahmed Abdullah Al Harthy and Nepal’s Pur Bahadur Gurung.
The Associated Press reported that teams were trying to retrieve the bodies despite difficult weather. The expedition had remained out of communication since Thursday.
Alpine Club Senior Vice President Karrar Haidri said Pakistan Army Aviation sent two helicopters carrying rescue personnel and specialised equipment. Weather and operational conditions continued to affect the mission.
Club General Secretary Ayaz Shigri said GPS locations indicated the avalanche swept the group about 1,000 meters downhill. Officials reported no confirmed contact with survivors.
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The club listed six climbers from Nepal: Nirmal Purja, Gurung, Kili Pemba, Nima, Nawang Thindu and Gyalu. The team also included Pakistan’s Sohail Sakhi, Al Harthy, China’s Wang Zhong and American Mallory Geis.
Gilgit-Baltistan Chief Minister Amjad Hussain Advocate ordered provincial departments to support the operation in coordination with the Pakistan Army.
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Purja previously climbed all 14 mountains above 8,000 meters in six months and six days. Sakhi, a mountaineer from Hunza, summited Kanchenjunga in May 2026 after earlier climbing four Pakistani eight-thousanders without supplemental oxygen.
