KATHMANDU/ISLAMABAD: Search and rescue operations for climbers missing after the Broad Peak avalanche in Pakistan are expected to resume today after being suspended late Friday because of worsening weather conditions in the Karakoram region.
Pakistan Army helicopters recovered and transported the bodies of three climbers to Skardu. The deceased have been identified as Nadhira Ahmed Abdullah Al Harthi of Oman, Nepali climber Pur Bahadur Gurung, and American climber Mallory Geis. Earlier reports had suggested that four bodies had been found, but officials later revised the confirmed death toll to three. Seven climbers are still missing.
According to a statement issued by the Commissioner of Baltistan Division, the rescue operation was launched following a formal request from expedition tour operators. A three-member civilian rescue team led by prominent Pakistani mountaineer Sarbaz Khan was airlifted to Broad Peak Base Camp by Pakistan Army Aviation helicopters and later recovered the bodies, Pakistani newspaper Dawn reported.
The operation was temporarily halted because of poor weather, but authorities said it would restart once conditions improved. Sherpas from other expeditions on the mountain are also expected to assist in the search, it said.
Rescuers said drone footage had revealed signs suggesting the possible presence of additional climbers on the mountain. Search efforts are continuing in extremely difficult terrain and harsh high-altitude conditions with the support of the Pakistan Army, local expert climbers, and rescue teams.
Mountaineering experts warned that the chances of survival for the missing climbers are decreasing with each passing hour.
The Alpine Club of Pakistan (ACP) said the 10-member expedition included six Nepali climbers, one Pakistani, one Omani, one American, and one Chinese climber. The missing Nepalis are Nirmal Purja, Kili Pemba Sherpa, Nima Sherpa, Nawang Thindu Sherpa, and Gyalu Sherpa. The other missing climbers are Pakistani climber Sohail Sakhi and Chinese climber Wang Zhong.
ACP Senior Vice President Karrar Haidri said two Pakistan Army rescue helicopters carrying personnel and specialized equipment had been deployed to support the operation. The club said it remains in close coordination with government authorities and other agencies involved in the rescue effort.
ACP General Secretary Ayaz Shigri said several expedition teams had begun a joint summit push before the avalanche occurred. GPS signals from some of the missing climbers indicate that the avalanche may have swept the group nearly 1,000 meters downhill, possibly trapping them. He also said there are concerns that local high-altitude porters may have been affected.
Nirmal Purja, 43, is one of the world’s most accomplished mountaineers. A former member of Britain’s Brigade of Gurkhas and the elite Special Boat Service, he set a record in 2019 by climbing all 14 peaks above 8,000 meters in six months and six days and later participated in the first winter ascent of K2 by an all-Nepali team.
Pakistani climber Sohail Sakhi, from Hunza, had recently summited Kanchenjunga in Nepal and is known for climbing K2, Nanga Parbat, Gasherbrum I, and Gasherbrum II without supplemental oxygen.
Comment