Avalanche on Pakistan’s Broad Peak Triggers Massive Rescue Operation

Rescuers have found four bodies while searching for 10 missing climbers on Pakistan’s Broad Peak. Despite difficult weather, the search for the remaining six climbers continues. Government officials, who requested anonymity, confirmed efforts to retrieve the bodies.

Harsh weather has complicated the rescue mission, affecting helicopter operations, as per Gilgit-Baltistan region’s Chief Minister Amjad Hussain. The climbers lost contact with base camp due to an avalanche during their ascent, according to Karrar Haidri, vice president of Pakistan’s Alpine Club. Army helicopters are assisting in the mission.

The expedition group included five Nepali climbers, Pakistani mountaineer Sohail Sakhi, Omani climber Nathira, American Mallory Geis, a Chinese climber named Wang, and another unidentified foreign climber. China is working to verify if its citizens are among the missing and has offered support to Pakistan.

Nirmal Purja, the team leader, is a noted mountaineer, famous for climbing the world’s 14 highest peaks in 189 days in 2019. His achievement was highlighted in a Netflix documentary. Renowned as Nims Dai, Purja’s record was surpassed in 2023.

Moving Mountains, a Pakistan-based travel company, organized the expedition, which included Geis attempting an 8,000-meter peak for the first time and Sakhi on what was to be his final climb. Sakhi is known as a guide, geographer, and high-altitude photographer.

Geis, originally from San Antonio, had shared on social media about closing her Pilates studio to embrace new life challenges involving climbing.

Broad Peak stands at 8,047 meters (26,401 feet) and ranks as the 12th-highest mountain globally. It is part of Pakistan’s Karakoram range, which hosts several peaks over 8,000 meters, drawing climbers worldwide.

Climbing in northern Pakistan is risky due to avalanches and sudden weather changes.