Home · World · Jul 30 archive
Ten climbers are reported missing, including Nepalese mountaineer Nirmal Purja, after an avalanche on the Broad Peak in Pakistan.
Confirmed
A team of ten mountaineers, led by Nepal-born former Royal Marine Nirmal Purja, is feared missing following an avalanche on PoK’s Broad Peak, one of the tallest mountains on Earth, the BBC reported. After climbing Broad Peak, Purja had planned to climb Cho Oyu, the world’s sixth-highest mountain, located in the Himalayas, to become the first person in history to climb all 14 “8,000ers” twice, according to a post on his X account Monday.
Along with 43-year-old Purja and American Geis, the group included climbers from Oman, Pakistan and Nepal, according to the Alpine Club. Pakistani mountaineering officials said the avalanche hit around midday on Thursday on the 8,047-metre (26,400ft) peak in the Karakoram range.
The Alpine Club of Pakistan said it had stayed in constant contact with government authorities to launch an immediate search and rescue operation, and that every effort was being made to secure helicopter support and mobilise available resources as quickly as possible.
“There is a lot of snow from whats been seen from the helicopters and we are being cautious as this is avalanche season,” said Ayaz Ahmed Shigri, general secretary of the alpine club, which is coordinating the rescue operation from Skardu.
The club said it “prays for the safety and successful rescue of all the climbers,” adding that it stood in solidarity with their families and the wider mountaineering community during the difficult time. Legal formalities “regarding identification” are underway, said tourism board of Gilgit Baltistan, a Pakistan administered region of Kashmir region.
Four people have been found dead by ground teams so far, said Irfan Arshad Khan, the Pakistan Alpine Club’s president. The location of four climbers is showing up on GPS, according to Shigri.
His mountaineering career began when he trekked to Everest Base Camp in 2012, an experience that “fired his passion and ambition for the mountains,” according to the website of his foundation, Nimsdai, which supports mountain communities in Nepal.
What's confirmed
- A team of ten mountaineers, led by Nepal-born former Royal Marine Nirmal Purja, is feared missing following an avalanche on PoK’s Broad Peak, one of the tallest mountains on Earth, the BBC reported.
- Along with 43-year-old Purja and American Geis, the group included climbers from Oman, Pakistan and Nepal, according to the Alpine Club.
- The Alpine Club of Pakistan said it had stayed in constant contact with government authorities to launch an immediate search and rescue operation, and that every effort was being made to secure helicopter support and mob
- “There is a lot of snow from whats been seen from the helicopters and we are being cautious as this is avalanche season,” said Ayaz Ahmed Shigri, general secretary of the alpine club, which is coordinating the rescue ope
- The club said it “prays for the safety and successful rescue of all the climbers,” adding that it stood in solidarity with their families and the wider mountaineering community during the difficult time.
- Four people have been found dead by ground teams so far, said Irfan Arshad Khan, the Pakistan Alpine Club’s president.
What's still developing
- Four people have been found dead by ground teams so far, said Irfan Arshad Khan, the Pakistan Alpine Club’s president.
- Legal formalities “regarding identification” are underway, said tourism board of Gilgit Baltistan, a Pakistan administered region of Kashmir region.
- “There is a lot of snow from whats been seen from the helicopters and we are being cautious as this is avalanche season,” said Ayaz Ahmed Shigri, general secretary of the alpine club, which is coordinating the rescue…
- Along with 43-year-old Purja and American Geis, the group included climbers from Oman, Pakistan and Nepal, according to the Alpine Club.
- The location of four climbers is showing up on GPS, according to Shigri.
- His mountaineering career began when he trekked to Everest Base Camp in 2012, an experience that “fired his passion and ambition for the mountains,” according to the website of his foundation, Nimsdai, which supports…
- After climbing Broad Peak, Purja had planned to climb Cho Oyu, the world’s sixth-highest mountain, located in the Himalayas, to become the first person in history to climb all 14 “8,000ers” twice, according to a post…
- A team of ten mountaineers, led by Nepal-born former Royal Marine Nirmal Purja, is feared missing following an avalanche on PoK’s Broad Peak, one of the tallest mountains on Earth, the BBC reported.