Four bodies recovered after Broad Peak avalanche with ten climbers missing

Four bodies have been recovered following a massive avalanche on Broad Peak in Pakistan, while emergency teams scramble to locate six other missing mountaineers, including world-renowned alpinist Nirmal Purja. The disaster struck the 8,047-meter peak in the Karakoram range, plunging the international climbing community into profound uncertainty as rescue operations battle difficult conditions.

According to Yahoo News, the avalanche hit a group of 10 climbers on Thursday, July 30. GPS tracks indicate the catastrophe occurred between 8:57 a.m. And 9:30 a.m. At roughly 6,579 meters between Camp II and Camp III of the standard West Ridge. Pakistani mountaineer Samson Sharaf noted that the entire snow-laden face likely moved, sweeping the traverse. Tracking devices worn by the expedition registered violent descents, with American climber Mallory Geis dropping 543 meters and Omani mountaineer Nadhira Al Harthy plunging 1,651 meters.

Media additions

Khadakraj Paudel, Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, confirmed the recovery of the four bodies via social media on Friday, stating that the government is closely monitoring the situation in coordination with Pakistani authorities, as reported by Myrepublica. Two Pakistani military helicopters and specialized teams have been deployed to the area.

"The identities of the recovered bodies have not yet been confirmed. We are receiving continuous updates on the incident."

Khadakraj Paudel, Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, via Myrepublica

The expedition was led by Purja, a former British Royal Marine who made global headlines in 2019 by summiting all 14 of the world's 8,000-meter peaks in just over six months. Also known as Nims Dai, Purja co-founded Elite Exped and starred in a Netflix documentary detailing his record-breaking feats. The missing contingent includes five other Nepalese climbers—identified across reports as Pur Bahadur Gurung, Kili Pemba Sherpa, Nima Sherpa, Nawang Thindu Sherpa, and Gyalu Sherpa—alongside international participants. The group features Oman's first woman to climb Everest, Nadhira Al Harthy; high-altitude guide and mathematical researcher Sohail Sakhi of Pakistan; Chinese climber Wang Zhong; American travel photographer Mallory Geis; and an additional foreign climber whose identity has not yet been made public.

Karrar Haidri, vice-president of the Alpine Club of Pakistan, stated that the club received deeply concerning reports of the incident and has had no communication with the team since the avalanche, according to The Guardian. Given the sheer size of the avalanche and the prolonged loss of communications, all missing climbers are widely feared dead.

"The club prays for the safety and successful rescue of all the climbers and stands in solidarity with their families and the international mountaineering community during this difficult time."

Karrar Haidri, Vice-President of the Alpine Club of Pakistan, via The Guardian

Expedition Demographics and Last Known Positions

• Nirmal Purja: Expedition leader and speed-record holder from Nepal.
• Nepalese Guides/Climbers: Pur Bahadur Gurung, Kili Pemba Sherpa, Nima Sherpa, Nawang Thindu Sherpa, and Gyalu Sherpa.
• Sohail Sakhi: Pakistani guide and high-altitude photographer from the Hunza Valley.
• Mallory Geis: American client and pilates studio owner from San Antonio, Texas.
• Nadhira Al Harthy: Omani teacher and mountaineer aiming to complete all 14 peaks over 8,000 meters.
• Wang Zhong: Chinese climber pursuing his thirteenth 8,000-meter summit.
• Unnamed International Climber: Nationality and identity currently withheld by officials.

Search and rescue teams intend to resume operations as soon as weather conditions permit. Officials are expected to release further details regarding the identities of the four recovered bodies once formal identifications are completed by authorities in Pakistan.