Pakistani rescuers find 4 bodies in search for missing Broad Peak climbers

Pakistani rescuers have recovered four bodies from the site of an avalanche that struck Broad Peak in the Karakoram range, leaving six climbers missing as of Friday, July 31, 2026. The search for the remaining climbers continues despite adverse weather conditions that have hampered helicopter operations, officials said.

The avalanche occurred on July 30, when a team of 10 climbers, including renowned mountaineer Nirmal Purja, was ascending the 8,047-meter peak. Purja, a Nepal-born former British soldier known for climbing the world’s 14 highest mountains in 189 days, led the expedition. The group comprised five Nepali climbers, Pakistani mountaineer Sohail Sakhi, Omani climber Nathira, American Mallory Geis, Chinese climber Wang, and another foreign national. The Alpine Club of Pakistan (ACP) confirmed the team lost contact with base camp after the avalanche, which struck around 12 p.m. Local time on July 30.

Rescuers found four bodies on Friday, though none have been publicly identified. Senior government officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, stated that efforts to retrieve the bodies continued despite harsh weather. The Gilgit-Baltistan Chief Minister, Amjad Hussain, noted that bad weather had “hampered the rescue effort,” with helicopter flights delayed. The search, which had been ongoing since the avalanche, was scheduled to resume Saturday.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry confirmed it was verifying whether any of its citizens were among the missing climbers. “We will provide assistance to Chinese citizens in need and are also willing to offer help in accordance with the needs of the Pakistani side,” said spokesperson Mao Ning. Meanwhile, the expedition’s travel company, Moving Mountains, described the team as “on its way to the small town of Askole” before the avalanche, with Geis, a 39-year-old American, preparing for her first 8,000-meter peak.

Purja, who rose to fame after his 2019 record-breaking climb, was featured in the Netflix documentary “14 Peaks: Nothing Is Impossible.” His feat, which included scaling Broad Peak, was celebrated as proof of “determination, self-belief, and positivity.” Sakhi, a Pakistani guide and high-altitude photographer, was part of the team, according to Moving Mountains’ website. The company had wished the climbers a “safe journey” before the avalanche.

Authorities have not disclosed the identities of the four recovered bodies, but the search for the remaining six continues. The ACP stated that the team “could not be reached since the incident,” emphasizing the challenges of operating in the region’s extreme conditions. Avalanches and unpredictable weather are common in northern Pakistan’s mountainous terrain, where climbing expeditions face significant risks.

The Pakistani military has deployed helicopters as part of the rescue operation, though weather disruptions have limited their effectiveness. The search is expected to persist, with officials citing the need to locate the missing climbers. No further details on the status of the remaining six were provided, but the focus remains on recovering all members of the expedition.

The incident has drawn international attention, with the Chinese government and climbing communities expressing concern. Purja’s disappearance has sparked widespread speculation, as he is widely recognized for his achievements in mountaineering. His team’s fate underscores the dangers of high-altitude climbing, particularly in regions prone to natural disasters.