Bodies of Nirmal Purja and three climbers recovered after Broad Peak avalanche

Rescuers on Broad Peak in northern Pakistan have recovered the bodies of renowned climber Nirmal Purja and three teammates, officials said Sunday. The Alpine Club of Pakistan identified the deceased as Purja, Wang Zhong, Nima Sherpa and Kili Pemba Sherpa, and praised the military, civilian rescuers and volunteer Sherpas who participated in the recovery.

Earlier, four additional bodies were located, but only three could be retrieved – Omani Nathira Ahmed, American Mallory Geis and Nepalese Bahadur Gurung – because adverse weather grounded helicopters. Search teams resumed Sunday to locate the two remaining climbers and to bring down the bodies already found.

"The tragedy is an immeasurable loss to the global mountaineering fraternity," said Irfan Arshad Khan, president of the Alpine Club of Pakistan.

Purja, a Nepal-born former British Army soldier, had previously set a record by climbing all 14 eight-thousanders in 189 days, a feat featured in the Netflix documentary “14 Peaks: Nothing Is Impossible.” His expedition company described him as a leader who inspired many through his courage and humility.

A statement from Geis’ family expressed that she was deeply loved and will be missed. The expedition also included Pakistani guide Sohail Sakhi, whose body remained missing as of Sunday.

Accidents such as avalanches, falling ice and extreme weather are frequent on high-altitude climbs in the region.