A search and recovery operation continued in Pakistan following an avalanche on Broad Peak, the world’s 12th-highest mountain, that claimed the lives of 10 climbers from multiple nations. The incident occurred in the Gilgit-Baltistan region and has been characterized as one of Pakistan’s deadliest mountaineering disasters by the Alpine Club of Pakistan.
Groups of climbers from Nepal, Oman, Pakistan, China, Britain, and the United States were caught in the avalanche Thursday. Ground teams subsequently located the remains of eight climbers, with at least three bodies recovered and brought down the mountain Saturday. As of Tuesday, ongoing search efforts were being conducted on foot due to unfavorable weather conditions that prevented helicopter operations, though aircraft remained on standby for deployment when conditions permitted.
Among those killed was Nirmal Purja, a Nepal-born individual known professionally as Nims Dai who held British Army service background. His expedition company released a statement acknowledging the mountaineering community’s loss. Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar expressed official condolences to the families of the deceased and to the governments of the affected nations, highlighting the courage and determination demonstrated by the climbers.
The foreign minister emphasized the commitment of Pakistan’s rescue and recovery teams and noted ongoing coordination with diplomatic missions from Nepal, Oman, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Standard procedures for mountaineering fatalities in Pakistan involve recovering bodies at the request of families and governments, with remains left in place only if next of kin decline recovery efforts.
Accidents during mountaineering expeditions in northern Pakistan occur regularly due to environmental hazards including avalanches, falling ice and rock, extreme altitudes, and rapidly shifting weather patterns. The region has experienced other significant mountaineering incidents in recent years, including fatalities on K2, the world’s second-highest peak.
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