4 bodies recovered, 6 climbers including Nepal’s Purja missing

Pakistan avalanche

Islamabad/Kathmandu: Renowned Nepalese mountaineer Nirmal Purja was among six climbers still missing after an avalanche struck an expedition on Pakistan’s Broad Peak, where rescuers recovered four bodies and continued search operations despite bad weather on Friday.

The avalanche hit the 8,051-metre mountain in the Karakoram range at an altitude of about 7,000 metres on Thursday, sweeping away a 10-member team attempting to reach the summit, according to the Alpine Club of Pakistan (ACP).

ACP President Major General Irfan Arshad said four bodies had been recovered. Two of the deceased were identified as Oman’s Nadhira Ahmed Abdullah Al Harthy and Nepal’s Pur Bahadur Gurung, while the identities of the other two were yet to be confirmed.

The missing climbers include Purja, four other Nepalese nationals, Pakistan's Sohail Sakhi, China’s Wang Zhong and Mallory Geis of the US.

Officials said helicopters were engaged in search and rescue operations, but adverse weather and the difficult terrain were hampering efforts.

Purja, 43, is regarded as one of the world's leading high-altitude mountaineers. In 2019, he climbed all 14 peaks above 8,000 metres in six months and six days under his Project Possible expedition. In 2021, he was part of the first Nepali team to complete a winter ascent of K2.

—PTI