Gilgit, July 31, 2026: At least four climbers were confirmed dead on Friday after an avalanche struck an international expedition team on Broad Peak in Gilgit-Baltistan, while search and rescue operations continued to locate the remaining missing mountaineers.
According to the Alpine Club of Pakistan (ACP), the 10-member expedition comprised six Nepalese climbers, one Pakistani, one Omani, one American and one Chinese national. The Nepalese climbers were identified as renowned mountaineer Nirmal Purja, Pur Bahadur Gurung, Kili Pemba Sherpa, Nima Sherpa, Nawang Thindu Sherpa and Gyalu Sherpa.
The remaining members included Pakistan’s Sohail Sakhi, Oman’s Nadhira Ahmed Abdullah Al Harthy, China’s Wang Zhong and American climber Mallory Geis.
ACP President Irfan Arshad said four bodies had been recovered from the avalanche site. He confirmed that two of the deceased had been identified as Oman’s Nadhira Ahmed Abdullah Al Harthy and Nepal’s Pur Bahadur Gurung, while the identities of the other two victims had yet to be officially announced.
Earlier, ACP Senior Vice President Karrar Haidri said two Pakistan Army Aviation helicopters carrying rescue personnel and specialised equipment had been dispatched to support the search operation.
He said the Alpine Club leadership remained in constant coordination with the highest government authorities and relevant agencies to ensure the timely deployment of all available rescue resources, subject to weather and operational conditions.
ACP General Secretary Ayaz Shigri said several expedition teams had launched a joint summit push before the avalanche struck around midday on Thursday.
He said GPS signals received from some of the missing climbers indicated that the avalanche had swept the group nearly 1,000 metres downhill, leaving them trapped. He also expressed concern that some local high-altitude porters might have been caught in the avalanche.
“We pray for the safety of all the climbers. It is a big incident,” Shigri said.
Gilgit-Baltistan Chief Minister Amjad Hussain Advocate directed all relevant departments to remain on high alert and expedite the rescue operation in coordination with the Pakistan Army.
He instructed the district administration to utilise all available resources to ensure the climbers’ safety.
Gilgit-Baltistan Minister for Tourism, Sports and Culture Naiknam Karim also expressed grief over the tragedy and said the provincial government was making every possible effort to locate and rescue the missing climbers.
The minister said all relevant departments remained in close coordination and every available logistical and operational resource was being utilised to support the ongoing operation.
The UK Embassy in Pakistan also expressed concern over the incident, noting that a British-Nepali national was among those missing, and said it remained in contact with Pakistani authorities regarding the rescue efforts.
Among the missing climbers is Nirmal Purja, one of the world’s most accomplished mountaineers. The former British Gurkha and Special Boat Service soldier gained international recognition after climbing all 14 peaks above 8,000 metres in a record six months and six days in 2019 and later took part in the historic first winter ascent of K2 in 2021.
Pakistani climber Sohail Sakhi, who hails from Hunza, is also among those affected. Earlier this year, he successfully summited Kanchenjunga, the world’s third-highest mountain, and has previously climbed K2, Nanga Parbat, Gasherbrum I and Gasherbrum II without supplemental oxygen.
