Ten climbers, including Nirmal Purja, killed in Broad Peak avalanche

An avalanche struck Broad Peak in Pakistan's Karakoram range earlier this week, wiping out a ten-person climbing expedition that included British-Nepali mountaineer Nirmal Purja. Elite Expeditions, the company that organized the climb, confirmed Purja's death and said other members of the team also perished.

The Alpine Club of Pakistan’s vice president, Karrar Haidri, said the group lost contact with its base camp on Thursday while attempting to summit the 26,401-foot mountain. Military helicopters and experienced Pakistani climbers have been deployed in a search-and-rescue operation, with three bodies recovered and six climbers still missing.

Local police official Tahir Khan reported that the remains of Omani climber Nathira Ahmed were flown to Islamabad, while the bodies of American climber Mallory Geis and Nepalese climber Bahadur Gurung are being held at a hospital in Skardu.

"It is with profound sadness and immense heartbreak that we confirm that Nirmal Purja tragically lost his life following the avalanche on Broad Peak," Elite Expeditions said on social media.

"This is heartbreaking news for all of us, and we extend our condolences to the families and friends of the climbers," Haidri added.

Purja, known as "Nims Dai," had previously set a record for climbing all 14 eight-thousand-meter peaks in 189 days, a feat later surpassed in 2023. The expedition also included climbers from Nepal, Oman, the United States, Pakistan, China and an unidentified foreign participant.

The incident highlights the frequent hazards of high-altitude climbing in northern Pakistan, where avalanches, falling ice, rock, and rapidly changing weather pose constant risks.