Four Dead, Nims Dai Among Six Missing After Pakistan's Broad Peak Avalanche

Rescue teams in Pakistan continued their search on Friday for six climbers, including renowned Nepal-born mountaineer Nirmal "Nims" Purja, after an avalanche struck an international expedition on Broad Peak in the Karakoram range. Officials have recovered four bodies, while harsh weather continues to hinder rescue efforts.

The avalanche hit at an altitude of around 7,000 metres on Thursday as a 10-member climbing team attempted to summit Broad Peak (8,051 metres), the world's 12th-highest mountain. According to the Alpine Club of Pakistan (ACP), the climbers lost contact after being swept away by the avalanche.

ACP President Major General Irfan Arshad confirmed that two of the recovered victims were Omani climber Nadhira Ahmed Abdullah Al Harthy and Nepalese climber Pur Bahadur Gurung. The identities of the remaining two bodies are yet to be officially confirmed.

Those still missing include Nirmal "Nims" Purja, Pakistani climber Sohail Sakhi, American Mallory Geis, Chinese climber Wang Zhong, and several Nepalese climbers. The ACP said two Pakistan Army Aviation helicopters are assisting in the search after GPS coordinates indicated the avalanche swept the team nearly 1,000 metres downhill. Authorities also fear some local high-altitude porters may have been caught in the slide.

The incident highlights the extreme dangers of Himalayan and Karakoram mountaineering, where avalanches, unpredictable weather and high-altitude conditions often complicate rescue missions.

Purja, 43, is regarded as one of the world's greatest high-altitude climbers. He gained global recognition in 2019 by scaling all 14 peaks above 8,000 metres in just six months and six days under Project Possible, and later joined the team that completed the first winter ascent of K2 in 2021.

Nepal said it remains in close contact with Pakistani authorities as rescue operations continue despite challenging weather conditions.