Worrying news has just come from Broad Peak. An avalanche has swept the upper side of the mountain just as a big group was on its way to the summit. Ten people are unaccounted for, including Nirmal “Nims” Purja. Efforts to contact them have been unsuccessful.
Other climbers in the group include Sohail Sakhi with American client Mallory Geiss. Purja was at the head of the EliteExped team.
The climbers’ trackers show their last registered locations. Photo: Samson Sharaf
While we gather more details, here is the Alpine Club of Pakistan’s official press release:
Official report
The Alpine Club of Pakistan (ACP) has received deeply concerning reports of an avalanche that struck a team of climbers on Broad Peak (8,047m) in the Karakoram around midday today.
According to the initial information received, the expedition comprises 10 climbers, including five Nepalese mountaineers led by the renowned climber Nims Dai, one Pakistani climber, Sohail Sakhi from Hunza, Nathira, an Omani mountaineer, American climber Mallory Geis, one Chinese climber, Mr. Wang, and one other foreign climber. The entire team has reportedly been out of communication since the avalanche.
The President of the Alpine Club of Pakistan, Major General Irfan Arshad, along with the senior leadership of the Club, is in constant contact with the highest government authorities and all relevant agencies to facilitate an immediate search and rescue operation. Every possible effort is being made to ensure that helicopter support and all available rescue resources are mobilized at the earliest opportunity, subject to weather and operational conditions.
The Alpine Club of Pakistan is closely monitoring the situation and coordinating with all concerned stakeholders. The Club prays for the safety and successful rescue of all the climbers and stands in solidarity with their families and the international mountaineering community during this difficult time.
We will update this story as more information becomes available.
