Rescue teams searching for 10 climbers missing after an avalanche on Pakistan’s Broad Peak have recovered the bodies of four climbers, including three who were transported to a hospital Friday, according to the Associated Press.
Officials with the Gilgit-Baltistan regional government identified the recovered climbers as Nepalese climber Pur Bahadur Gurung, Omani climber Nathira Ahmed, and American climber Mallory Geis. Authorities said one additional body was located but had not been publicly identified.
The search operation continued Friday despite dangerous weather conditions that limited helicopter flights and complicated efforts to reach the affected area. Officials said rescue teams would continue searching through the evening before resuming operations Saturday.
Broad Peak Avalanche Leaves International Expedition Missing
The climbers lost contact with their base camp after an avalanche struck Broad Peak while the expedition was attempting to climb the mountain. Karrar Haidri, vice president of the Alpine Club of Pakistan, said the team had been out of communication since Thursday.
The rescue operation involved army helicopters and ground teams working in difficult conditions across the Karakoram mountain range. The expedition included five Nepalese climbers, an Omani climber, an American climber, a Pakistani climber named Sohail Sakhi, a Chinese climber identified only as Wang, and another foreign climber.
China’s government said Friday it was working to confirm whether any Chinese nationals were among the missing climbers and offered assistance to Pakistan during the rescue effort.
Experienced Mountaineers Among Avalanche Victims
The expedition was led by renowned Nepalese mountaineer Nirmal Purja, also known as Nims Dai. Purja gained international recognition after climbing all 14 of the world’s mountains above 8,000 meters in a record 189 days in 2019. His achievement was featured in the Netflix documentary “14 Peaks: Nothing Is Impossible.”
Mallory Geis, 39, of San Antonio, was attempting her first 8,000-meter peak in Pakistan. She previously announced plans to leave her Pilates studio and pursue new challenges involving climbing equipment and high-altitude adventures.
Broad Peak rises 8,047 meters, or 26,401 feet, above sea level and is the 12th-highest mountain in the world. Located in Pakistan’s Karakoram range, the peak attracts climbers from across the globe seeking to summit one of Earth’s most challenging mountains.
Avalanches and rapidly changing weather conditions make climbing in northern Pakistan especially dangerous. The region is home to some of the world’s highest peaks and has experienced numerous deadly accidents during mountaineering expeditions.