British-Nepali mountaineer Nirmal Purja died after a devastating avalanche struck Broad Peak in northern Pakistan. The expedition company confirmed his death as rescue operations continued on Saturday.
The avalanche hit the international climbing team on Thursday during their ascent. The group was climbing at approximately 6,600 metres on Broad Peak.
Rescue teams resumed high-altitude search efforts after weather conditions briefly halted operations on Friday. Pakistani military helicopters and local rescuers continued searching the difficult terrain.
Three Victims Identified As Search Continues
Authorities recovered the remains of three climbers and transported them by helicopter for identification. Officials identified the victims as Sarah Mallory Geis from the United States, Pur Bahadur Gurung from Nepal, and Nadhira Alharthy from Oman.
Police in Gilgit-Baltistan said rescue teams also spotted additional bodies through drone footage. However, authorities have not confirmed the identities of those victims.
The expedition included 10 climbers from several countries. The team included Purja, five Nepalis, one Pakistani, one Omani, one American, and one Chinese climber.
Harsh Conditions Complicate Rescue Mission
Regional officials said the climbers last communicated on Thursday morning before the avalanche struck. Reports of the disaster emerged later that evening.
Authorities said the avalanche occurred during the team’s summit attempt on the 8,047-metre Broad Peak. Meanwhile, difficult terrain and severe weather continue slowing recovery efforts.
Pakistan’s military is leading the operation alongside experienced local high-altitude climbers and rescuers. Additionally, tracking device data suggested the avalanche swept the climbers hundreds of metres down the mountainside.
