Daijiworld Media Network – Skardu
Skardu, Jul 31: At least two mountaineers have been confirmed dead after an avalanche struck Pakistan’s Broad Peak, while a rescue operation is underway for a group of climbers, including renowned Nepalese mountaineer Nirmal Purja, who remain missing.
The Alpine Club of Pakistan confirmed the deaths of Oman climber Nadhira Al Harthy and Nepalese mountaineer Pur Bahadur Gurung, popularly known as Yukta.
"Nadhira's body has been recovered and is being transported by helicopter to Skardu. Arrangements for Yukta's transport are underway," the club said in a statement on Friday.
Search and rescue teams are continuing efforts to locate the remaining climbers. The avalanche reportedly struck on Thursday as a group of 10 mountaineers led by Nirmal Purja were moving between Camp 2 and Camp 3 during their summit push.
According to local mountaineering organisations, the avalanche hit around noon in Pakistan’s Karakoram Range. Communication with the team was lost following the incident, while helicopter rescue efforts were delayed due to poor weather conditions.
However, rescuers received a ray of hope after movement was detected from Nirmal Purja’s tracking device following the avalanche. Fellow mountaineers and friends expressed hope that he and others could still be found alive.
Nirmal Purja, also known as Nimsdai, is one of the world's most celebrated mountaineers. He gained international recognition after completing the climb of all 14 peaks above 8,000 metres in record time. He is also a former member of the UK Special Forces and co-founder of Elite Exped, a mountaineering company offering guided expeditions on some of the world's highest peaks.
Friend Parth Upadhyay said Purja’s resilience gave hope to those awaiting news. "If anyone can survive this, it is Nimsdai. He is a fighter," he said.
The mountaineering community has been shaken by the incident, as avalanches remain among the greatest dangers faced by climbers attempting high-altitude expeditions.
Broad Peak, standing at 8,051 metres, is located in the Karakoram Range between Pakistan’s Gilgit-Baltistan region and China’s Xinjiang province. The peak is situated around 8 km from K2, the world’s second-highest mountain.