Broad Peak Avalanche Update: 3 Climbers Confirmed Dead, All 10 Missing Climbers Named

CORRECTION OF EARLIER REPORT STATING 4 BODIES WERE FOUND

Two bodies have been recovered from Thursday’s avalanche on Pakistan’s Broad Peak, while renowned mountaineer Nirmal “Nims Dai” Purja and several other climbers remain missing, according to Nepalese news. Earlier reports suggested that another two bodies were found, however, those turned out to be debris, such as tents and backpacks, as well as a body part.

The Alpine Club of Pakistan (ACP) confirmed in a statement that the first two bodies were those of Nadhira Al Harthy of Oman and Pur Bahadur Gurung “Yukta” of Nepal. “Nadhira’s body has been recovered and is being transported by helicopter to Skardu,” the ACP shared. Arrangements for Yukta’s transport are said to be underway. “Search and rescue operations continue for those still missing,” the ACP added.

Later the ACP corrected its earlier statement that had claimed another two bodies were found. Pakistani mountaineer Naila Kiani, who posted on behalf of ACP corrected that this was a miscommunication. At this point, only two bodies, a leg, a backpack, and a broken garmin watch were retrieved, Kiani and the ACP confirmed.

In the evening of July 31, the Commissioner of Baltistan’s office issued a press release stating the identities of the 10 missing as well as official confirmation of the deceased. In that press release it was stated that the leg was identified to be that of Texan climber Mallory Geis, leading authorities to confirm her death.

• Related: Nims Dai Purja Among 10 People Missing After Avalanche Strikes Pakistan’s Broad Peak

The Nepali government has also shared the identities of the five sherpas missing alongside Purja. This clears up some confusion about the identity of the 10 climbers that went missing on Thursday as initially news spoke of five Nepalese sherpas and five foreign climbers. There were three climbing teams involved, one by Elite Exped led by Nims Purja, one by Seven Summit Treks, and a third by Imagine Nepal.

In a press release Nepal’s Department of Tourism, under the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, issued a statement expressing shock over the incident and calling for immediate search and rescue efforts. The ministry confirmed six Nepali climbers are among those missing:

• Nirmal Purja “Nims Dai”
• Pur Bahadur Gurung “Yukta”
• Kili Pemba Sherpa “Kilu”
• Nima Sherpa
• Nawang Thindu Sherpa
• Gyalu Sherpa

The other four climbers were previously identified as Sohail Sakhi from Pakistan, Wang Zhong from China, Mallory Geis from the USA, and Nadhira Al Harty from Oman. Al Harty is now confirmed as deceased.

The ministry said it is coordinating with the Government of Pakistan through the Nepali Embassy in Pakistan to support search and rescue operations. “We request all concerned stakeholders to take the necessary initiative and coordination for the prompt search and rescue of the missing climbers,” the Department of Tourism said.

The avalanche struck around midday on July 30, during an international expedition on the world’s 12th-highest mountain, cutting communication with a group of climbers. Rescue services were not alerted until the evening, meaning that search and rescue could not set out until Friday morning, July 31, letting valuable hours go by. Kiani explained that Pakistan authorities were not informed of the missing climbers until 10 p.m. at which point rescue teams stayed up all night to coordinate the search and rescue for the next day. “It was the Basecamp team’s responsibility to inform the authorities. Shockingly, no one raised the alarm until much later.” Furthermore, poor weather has complicated rescue efforts on Broad Peak, limiting helicopter operations. Initial searches were carried out by ground teams, who later recovered the four bodies. Pakistani officials say further aerial searches will begin when weather and operational conditions allow.

Despite the recovery of two bodies and a body part, there remains a small window of hope for some of the missing climbers after tracking data from Purja’s GPS device showed movement until early Friday morning. According to Purja’s business partner and Nepalese parliament member Mingma Gyabu Sherpa (Mingma David), the device initially showed a descent after the avalanche struck, but continued location changes through approximately 6:30 a.m. local time indicated possible movement in the aftermath of the accident. “Initially, the GPS showed a descent after the avalanche, but since the location has been changing until 6:30 a.m. today, it gives hope that the team is alive and trying to move towards a safe place,” Mingma David told Nepali news. He also said an expert rescue team of three Nepali climbers, including specialists trained in long-line helicopter rescue operations, was scheduled to depart Nepal for Pakistan on Friday afternoon. The team will coordinate with Pakistani authorities and local rescuers once they arrive. A Pakistan Army helicopter has also been mobilized for search operations, although weather conditions continue to be a major challenge in the Broad Peak region.

Elite Exped issued a public statement today, saying that the company’s immediate priority is the safety and wellbeing of everyone involved. “We are in contact with relevant authorities, rescue agencies, and expedition partners as we work to establish the facts. We appreciate the concern and ask for patience while verified information becomes available. We will provide a further official update as soon as we are in a position to do so.”

Broad Peak sits near K2 on the Pakistan-China border and is considered one of the world’s most challenging high-altitude climbing objectives. Avalanches remain one of the greatest objective hazards on 8,000-meter peaks.