Ten climbers, including Nirmal Purja, died in a Broad Peak avalanche. Search efforts continue for the remaining bodies after the incident.
The 10-member expedition was hit by an avalanche on Thursday while climbing Broad Peak in PoK’s Gilgit-Baltistan region. Renowned British-Nepali mountaineer Nirmal Purja and nine other climbers swept away by an avalanche on PoK’s Broad Peak have been confirmed dead, according to the Alpine Club of Pakistan and Purja’s expedition company.
“The world has lost one of mountaineering’s greatest climbers,” Purja’s expedition company, Elite Exped, said in a statement. Confirming the tragedy, Alpine Club of Pakistan president Irfan Arshad Khan said, “The loss of these courageous climbers, who came from different nations united by their passion for the mountains, is an immeasurable loss to the global mountaineering fraternity. Paying tribute to rescuers, Khan said, “The mountains inspire us with their beauty, but they also remind us of the immense risks faced by those who venture into the high Himalaya and Karakoram.
Search and rescue teams are continuing efforts to recover the remaining bodies. It added, “No words can ease the pain of this unimaginable loss. Rescuers recovered three bodies on Friday after locating four, but harsh weather disrupted helicopter operations and delayed the search. Military-backed rescue teams resumed operations on Saturday. Earlier on Saturday, local police official Tahir Khan said the remains of Omani climber Nathira Ahmed were being flown to Islamabad, while the bodies of American climber Mallory Geis and Nepalese climber Bahadur Gurung remained at a hospital in Skardu.
Purja, popularly known as Nims Dai, was a Nepal-born former British Army soldier who became one of the world’s most celebrated mountaineers after scaling all 14 peaks above 8,000 metres in a record 189 days in 2019. The feat was documented in the Netflix film 14 Peaks: Nothing Is Impossible. His record was surpassed in 2023. The expedition marked Geis’ first attempt at an 8,000-metre peak in PoK.
In a statement, Geis’ family said, “Mallory was a bright light who was loved deeply by her family and friends. Describing Purja’s legacy, Elite Exped said he was “a leader who inspired millions through his courage, humility and unwavering belief that human potential is far greater than we often imagine. It was also expected to be the final expedition for climber and guide Sakhi, who was also a geographer and high-altitude photographer, according to the Moving Mountains website.
She will be profoundly missed. PoK’s northern mountain ranges, including the Karakoram, are among the world’s most challenging climbing destinations. Avalanches, falling ice and rocks, extreme altitude and rapidly changing weather frequently contribute to fatal accidents during expeditions. Poll In your opinion, should documentaries about climbers and expeditions be more prevalent? Download the TOI app.
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