The body of Pakistani climber Sohail Sakhi has been recovered after the deadly Broad Peak avalanche that struck an international expedition. The Alpine Club of Pakistan confirmed that local volunteers found Sakhi’s remains and brought them to the mountain’s base camp.
Sohail Sakhi’s Body Found by Local Volunteers
The avalanche struck Broad Peak on July 30 and cut contact with a 10-member international expedition. British-Nepali mountaineer Nirmal Purja led the expedition.
Purja’s company later confirmed that none of the climbers survived the disaster. Rescue teams recovered seven bodies, while three climbers remained missing.
Those still unaccounted for included Sakhi, American climber Sarah Mallory Geis and Nepalese climber Nawang Thindu Sherpa.
Search operations for the three climbers were suspended last week because of the continuing threat of further avalanches.
However, local volunteers from Shigar continued searching the area independently. ACP member Naila Kiani said Muhammad Nadeem, Muhammad Bashir and Abuzar spotted Sakhi’s body.
The volunteers then alerted others and worked with additional local rescuers to bring the body down from Camp 1. They eventually transported it to Broad Peak Base Camp.
Rescue Efforts Await Better Weather
ACP General Secretary Ayaz Shigri confirmed that Sakhi’s body had reached the base camp. He said Pakistan Army helicopters would transport the remains to Skardu if weather conditions allowed.
According to Shigri, volunteers located the body at an altitude of around 5,600 metres. Meanwhile, the bodies of Geis and Sherpa remain unrecovered.
Rescue teams are expected to resume the search after weather conditions improve. However, authorities will first assess whether the area becomes safe enough for further operations.
The expedition also included renowned mountaineer Nirmal Purja and six elite Nepali guides. Purja previously served with Britain’s Brigade of Gurkhas and the Royal Marines.
He later became a full-time mountaineer and guide. During his career, he also established several climbing records.
Sakhi’s recovery brings some closure to his family and fellow climbers. However, the search for the two remaining mountaineers remains dependent on weather and safety conditions on Broad Peak.
