An avalanche struck a climbing expedition on Broad Peak in Pakistan, affecting 11 climbers including prominent Nepali mountaineer Nirmal Purja. The incident occurred at approximately 9am local time at an elevation of 6,579 metres on the mountain’s west ridge, between camp two and camp three. Search and rescue operations have identified three confirmed fatalities: Pur Bahadur Gurung from Nepal, Nadhira Alharthy from Oman, and Mallory Geis from the United States. Their bodies have been transported to a hospital in the region.
Rescue efforts have been conducted using aerial drone footage and helicopter support, though operations have been hampered by harsh weather conditions and limited helicopter availability in Pakistan compared to other mountaineering regions. GPS tracking data carried by the climbers showed rapid altitude losses consistent with an avalanche event. Notably, Purja’s tracker indicated continued movement following the initial descent, suggesting he may have survived the initial impact. Pakistani and Nepali climbing team members were dispatched overland to investigate reports of a climber’s location near the base of the mountain.
Purja, also known as Nims Dai, is a former British special forces member who gained international recognition in 2019 for climbing all 14 peaks above 8,000 metres in just over six months, significantly reducing the previous record time. He subsequently led the first team to summit K2 in winter conditions. The current expedition was organized through his company, Elite Exped, and included climbers from Nepal, the United States, Pakistan, Oman, and China. The Alpine Club of Pakistan coordinated rescue mobilization efforts while emphasizing commitments to survivor recovery and support for affected families.
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