Search Continues for Missing Climbers After Avalanche on Broad Peak

On Friday, a rescue operation discovered the bodies of four climbers near Pakistan’s Broad Peak. Six climbers remain missing after an avalanche occurred in the area. Despite challenging weather, rescue efforts persist, hampered by conditions that affect helicopter flights, officials reported anonymously.

Adverse weather continues to impact the rescue operations, according to a statement from Gilgit-Baltistan’s Chief Minister, Amjad Hussain. Karrar Haidri, vice president of the Alpine Club of Pakistan, confirmed the climbers lost contact with their base camp after the avalanche struck. The team includes army helicopters as part of the search-and-rescue mission.

The expedition consists of climbers from various countries: five Nepali climbers, Pakistani mountaineer Sohail Sakhi, Omani climber Nathira, American climber Mallory Geis, a Chinese climber known as Wang, and another climber of foreign nationality. The expedition leader is Nirmal Purja, a Nepal-born former British Army soldier widely recognized as Nims Dai. In 2019, he climbed the world’s 14 highest peaks in a record 189 days, an accomplishment documented in the Netflix film “14 Peaks: Nothing is Impossible.” His record was surpassed in 2023.

China’s government is working to confirm the identities of any Chinese nationals among the missing climbers. On Friday, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning expressed China’s willingness to assist their citizens, offering aid according to Pakistan’s requirements.

The travel company Moving Mountains, based in Pakistan, announced the expedition’s departure from Askole last month, wishing the team a safe journey. Mallory Geis, from San Antonio, embarked on her first attempt at an 8,000-meter peak. Sohail Sakhi aims for this climb to be his final expedition. A guide and geographer, Sakhi has climbed several major peaks.

Broad Peak, at 8,047 meters, ranks as the world’s 12th-highest mountain. Located in Pakistan’s Karakoram range, it is among five peaks above 8,000 meters in the region, attracting global climbers. Climbing accidents are frequent in northern Pakistan due to avalanches and unpredictable weather changes.

Khan reported from Peshawar, Pakistan. Additional reporting by AP journalists E. Eduardo Castillo in Beijing and Hallie Golden in Seattle. Trusted journalism supports democracy and civil dialogue.