The bodies of five foreign climbers reached Islamabad after a difficult recovery mission on Broad Peak. Authorities completed the operation despite severe weather and dangerous mountain conditions.
The avalanche struck during an international climbing expedition in northern Pakistan. Consequently, rescuers searched the hazardous mountain for several days before locating the victims.
Broad Peak stands 8,047 meters high in the Karakoram range. It ranks as the world’s 12th-highest mountain. However, it remains one of Pakistan’s toughest climbing destinations. Earlier, the avalanche left 10 climbers missing, including renowned Nepalese-born British mountaineer Nirmal Purja.
Recovery Operation Ends Successfully
Officials identified the recovered climbers as Nima Sherpa, Nirmal Purja, Gyalu Sherpa, Wang Zhong, and Kili Pemba. Rescue teams then shifted their bodies to Islamabad after completing the high-altitude mission.
Meanwhile, authorities continued coordinating efforts following the tragic avalanche. Furthermore, the incident raised fresh concerns about safety during high-altitude expeditions.
Officials Laud Rescue Teams
Pakistan Alpine Club President Irfan Ahmed praised Pakistan Army Aviation for carrying out the challenging recovery mission. He described it as one of the world’s toughest mountain search operations.
Moreover, Ahmed said rescue teams recovered the bodies despite harsh conditions. He thanked the Pakistan Army, the Government of Pakistan, and the Gilgit-Baltistan government for supporting the operation. Additionally, he appreciated the teams’ professionalism and dedication throughout the mission.
