A large-scale search and rescue operation is underway in Pakistan after a powerful avalanche struck Broad Peak (8,047m), one of the world’s highest mountains, leaving a 10-member international climbing team led by world-renowned mountaineer Nirmal “Nims” Purja missing. The incident occurred around midday on Thursday during the peak summer climbing season in the Karakoram Range, raising serious concerns across the global mountaineering community.
According to the Alpine Club of Pakistan (ACP), the avalanche hit while the climbers were making their summit push on Broad Peak, the world’s 12th-highest mountain, situated on the Pakistan-China border near K2. Since the avalanche, all communication with the expedition has reportedly been lost, prompting an urgent rescue response involving Pakistani authorities, mountaineering organizations, and helicopter support teams.
Entire Expedition Unreachable Following Avalanche
The Alpine Club of Pakistan confirmed that the entire expedition has remained out of contact since the avalanche struck. The organization described the situation as deeply concerning and immediately coordinated with the country’s highest authorities to launch emergency search and rescue efforts. Karrar Haidri, Senior Vice-President of the Alpine Club of Pakistan, said initial reports indicate that all ten climbers became uncontactable shortly after the avalanche swept across the upper slopes of Broad Peak.
“There has been no communication from the expedition since the avalanche occurred,” Haidri said, adding that authorities are treating the incident with the highest priority. Officials have not yet confirmed whether there are casualties or survivors, as rescue teams have been unable to establish contact with the climbers. Poor weather conditions and the remote high-altitude terrain have complicated rescue operations.
Nirmal Purja Among Missing Climbers
Among those missing is internationally celebrated Nepali-born mountaineer Nirmal Purja, popularly known as Nimsdai. Purja, a former British Special Boat Service (SBS) soldier, is widely regarded as one of the greatest high-altitude climbers of modern times. Purja gained worldwide recognition in 2019 after completing his historic “Project Possible,” climbing all 14 mountains above 8,000 metres in just over six months, a feat that shattered the previous world record and transformed him into one of mountaineering’s biggest global figures.
The expedition also includes five Nepali climbers accompanying Purja, alongside Pakistani climber Sohail Sakhi from Hunza, Omani mountaineer Nathira, American climber Mallory Geis, Chinese climber Wang, and another foreign climber whose identity has not yet been publicly disclosed. The multinational composition of the expedition has intensified international concern, with climbing communities across Nepal, Pakistan, Europe, North America, and beyond closely monitoring developments.
Emergency Rescue Operation Mobilized
Major General Irfan Arshad, President of the Alpine Club of Pakistan, said the organization has been working continuously with government agencies, rescue authorities, and military officials to mobilize every available resource. According to an official ACP statement, helicopter rescue operations are being prepared and will commence as soon as weather and operational conditions permit. The club emphasized that rescue teams are fully committed to reaching the affected area at the earliest possible opportunity despite the significant risks posed by high altitude, unstable snow conditions, and unpredictable mountain weather.
The ACP further stated that it remains in constant coordination with all relevant stakeholders while expressing solidarity with the climbers’ families during this difficult period. Meanwhile, Mingma David Sherpa, co-founder of Elite Exped, confirmed the avalanche and said that a rescue helicopter was expected to reach Broad Peak early Friday if weather conditions improved sufficiently for safe flying.
Tracker Data Raises Serious Concerns
As search efforts continue, satellite tracker data from the climbers has provided a troubling indication of what may have occurred. According to information circulating within the mountaineering community, GPS tracking devices carried by several members of the expedition recorded their final locations shortly before communication ceased. The trackers reportedly show that multiple climbers halted their ascent around 9:30 a.m.
Pakistan time before rapidly descending several hundred metres, movements that experts believe may be consistent with being caught in a large avalanche. Images compiled from the tracking data indicate similar movement patterns among several climbers, including Nirmal Purja and American climber Mallory Geis. While the tracker information has heightened concerns, officials have cautioned that it cannot confirm the climbers’ conditions and should not be interpreted as definitive evidence until rescue teams reach the site.
Questions Raised Over Delay in Emergency Alert
One aspect of the incident that has drawn considerable attention is the apparent delay in notifying rescue authorities. Reports suggest the avalanche occurred around 9:20 a.m. local time on Thursday, yet a formal alarm was reportedly not issued until nearly thirteen hours later. The delay has surprised experienced climbers and rescue experts, particularly because several expeditions were present on Broad Peak and personnel were stationed at Base Camp.
Naila Kiani of the Alpine Club of Pakistan expressed shock over the timing of the notification, noting that valuable daylight hours may have been lost before rescue helicopters could be deployed. The reasons behind the delay remain unclear and are expected to be examined once more information becomes available.
Avalanche Strikes During Busy Karakoram Climbing Season
The incident has occurred during one of the busiest periods of the climbing season in Pakistan’s Karakoram Range. Broad Peak, K2, Gasherbrum I, and Gasherbrum II are currently hosting numerous international expeditions. Nepali rope-fixing teams have been working on several mountains, establishing climbing routes for commercial expeditions.
Only days before the avalanche, two Nepali-led teams successfully reached the summit of Gasherbrum II. At the same time, multiple commercial operators, including Elite Exped, Seven Summit Treks, Imagine Nepal, and independent climbers, were conducting summit attempts on Broad Peak. Avalanches remain among the most significant objective dangers in the Karakoram, where rapidly changing weather, unstable snowpack, and steep terrain can trigger large snow slides with little warning.
Purja Was Pursuing Historic “Hat-Trick Project”
The avalanche comes just nine days after Nirmal Purja successfully climbed Gasherbrum II without supplemental oxygen, marking the 57th successful ascent of an 8,000-metre mountain in his extraordinary climbing career. That climb left only Cho Oyu remaining for Purja to complete his ambitious self-declared “Hat-Trick Project”, an unprecedented challenge involving climbing all 14 of the world’s 8,000-metre peaks three times while also completing the Seven Summits three times.
Purja has stated that the project is intended not only to push the limits of human endurance but also to raise more than £1 million for the Nimsdai Foundation, which supports humanitarian, education, and community development projects in Nepal. One of the foundation’s major recent initiatives, the Lobuche Porter House in Nepal’s Everest region, was inaugurated in May to provide accommodation and improved facilities for porters supporting trekking and mountaineering expeditions.
International Mountaineering Community Awaits Updates
As rescue teams continue preparations, climbers, expedition operators, families, and mountaineering organizations worldwide are anxiously awaiting updates from Broad Peak. With no confirmed information regarding survivors or casualties, hope remains that members of the expedition may have found shelter or survived the avalanche despite the extremely harsh high-altitude conditions.
The coming hours are expected to be critical, as rescue helicopters attempt to reach the avalanche site once weather conditions permit. Until then, the fate of one of the world’s most accomplished mountaineers and his international team remains uncertain, leaving the global climbing community united in hope for their safe recovery.
