Ten international climbers have gone missing following an avalanche on Broad Peak in northern Pakistan. Led by renowned mountaineer Nirmal Purja, the climbers were navigating one of the world’s highest peaks when the incident occurred.
Broad Peak, part of the Karakoram range, stands at 26,401 feet, making it the 12th-highest mountain globally. Nirmal Purja, a Nepal-born British mountaineer, gained fame for scaling the world’s 14 highest peaks within 189 days in 2019. His expeditions were featured in the Netflix documentary, “14 Peaks: Nothing Is Impossible.”
The Alpine Club of Pakistan has been informed about the situation. Vice President Karrar Haidri reported that the team has been out of communication since the avalanche hit. The climbers include five Nepalese, with others identified from Pakistan, Oman, the United States, China, and another foreign nation.
Club President Maj. Gen. Irfan Arshad and other senior leaders are in touch with government officials. They aim to facilitate a swift search-and-rescue operation. Efforts to deploy helicopters and other resources are underway, though weather and conditions pose challenges.
Nirmal Purja, also known as Nims Dai, previously held the record for the fastest ascent of the 14 highest peaks until it was surpassed in 2023 by a Norwegian woman and her Nepali Sherpa guide.
The Alpine Club emphasized its commitment to monitoring the situation and coordinating with relevant parties. The club expressed solidarity with the families of the climbers and the wider international mountaineering community.
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