Nirmal Purja among six missing after Broad Peak avalanche in Pakistan

Kathmandu,UPDATED: Jul 31, 2026 16:02 IST

Nepal's veteran mountaineer Nirmal Purja was among six climbers still missing after an avalanche hit an expedition on Pakistan's Broad Peak, while rescuers recovered four bodies and continued search operations despite bad weather, officials said on Friday.

The avalanche struck at an altitude of around 7,000 metres on Thursday and swept away a 10-member climbing team during its summit push, according to the Alpine Club of Pakistan. Broad Peak, at 8,051 metres in the Karakoram range near K2, is the world's 12th-highest mountain and is considered one of the most challenging peaks to climb.

The climbers, six from Nepal, one each from Pakistan, Oman, the United States and China, went missing at around 9 am local time after the avalanche. Alpine Club of Pakistan President Major General Irfan Arshad said four bodies had been recovered during the rescue operation.

He identified two of the deceased as Oman's Nadhira Ahmed Abdullah Al Harthy and Nepal's Pur Bahadur Gurung. The identities of the other two bodies are yet to be officially confirmed. Besides Purja and Gurung, the other Nepali climbers in the team were Kili Pemba Sherpa, Nima Sherpa, Nawang Thindu Sherpa and Gyalu Sherpa. The other missing climbers were Sohail Sakhi of Pakistan, Wang Zhong of China and Mallory Geis of the United States.

Officials said search and rescue operations were under way, but poor weather had badly affected the effort, with helicopters facing operational constraints in the mountainous terrain. The Alpine Club of Pakistan said two Pakistan Army Aviation helicopters were engaged in the operation. It said GPS coordinates received from some of the missing climbers showed that the avalanche had swept the group nearly 1,000 metres downhill, leaving them trapped. The club also expressed concern that some local high-altitude porters might have been caught in the avalanche.

The club said it was in constant contact with government authorities to support the rescue work. "Every possible effort is being made to ensure that helicopter support and all available rescue resources are mobilised at the earliest opportunity, subject to weather and operational conditions," it said. Gilgit-Baltistan Chief Minister Amjad Hussain Advocate directed all relevant departments to remain on high alert and speed up the rescue operation in coordination with the Pakistan Army.

Purja, 43, is regarded as one of the world's leading high-altitude mountaineers. A former member of Britain's Brigade of Gurkhas and the Royal Marines' Special Boat Service, he has set several mountaineering records since becoming a full-time climber and expedition guide. In 2019, he climbed all 14 mountains above 8,000 metres in six months and six days under his "Project Possible" expedition. In 2021, he was part of the team of 10 Nepali climbers that made the first successful winter ascent of K2.

Nepal's Minister for Tourism, Culture and Civil Aviation, Khadak Prasad Paudel, said the government was in regular contact with the Pakistani authorities. "Deeply concerned by the reports of an avalanche and the loss of contact with Nirmal Purja 'Nims Dai' and fellow Nepali climbers in Pakistan," Paudel said in a social media post. "We are in regular contact with the Pakistani authorities and receiving updates on the situation. Our thoughts are with the climbers and their families. We remain hopeful for their safe return," he said.

The search for the missing climbers was continuing on Friday as rescuers worked in difficult weather on Broad Peak, where the avalanche swept away the 10-member team and four bodies were recovered.

With PTI Inputs

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