Four bodies recovered after Broad Peak avalanche as rescue efforts continue

Rescue teams have recovered four bodies as search operations continued on Friday for climbers missing since an avalanche struck a 10-member international team on Broad Peak (8,047m) a day earlier.

Gilgit-Baltistan Chief Minister Amjad Hussain took notice of the incident and ordered all concerned departments to launch an immediate and effective rescue operation after receiving alarming reports from the Alpine Club of Pakistan (ACP) and the Shigar district administration.

The CM Hussain directed the relevant authorities and the district administration to remain on high alert and to intensify search and rescue efforts in full coordination with the Pakistan Army. He instructed that all possible resources be mobilised to ensure the climbers' safety and that air and ground rescue teams be kept ready to move at the earliest opportunity despite unfavourable weather.

According to the ACP, the missing climbers include six Nepalese mountaineers — Purja, Pur Bahadur Gurung, Kili Pemba Sherpa, Nima Sherpa, Nawang Thindu Sherpa and Gyalu Sherpa — Sakhi from Pakistan, Nadhira Ahmed Abdullah Al Harthy from Oman, Wang Zhong from China, and American climber Mallory Geis.

The ongoing search and rescue mission to locate the missing climbers is being led by renowned Pakistani mountaineer Sirbaz Khan.

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The ACP said its senior leadership remained in constant contact with top government authorities to facilitate the operation, adding that helicopter support and all available rescue resources were being mobilised as quickly as weather and operational conditions allowed.

CM Hussain, expressing serious concern over the incident, prayed for the safety of the climbers and directed all teams to keep him updated on the rescue progress in real time.

Broad Peak, part of the Karakoram range, is regarded as somewhat less technically demanding than neighbouring K2 but is notorious for sudden, harsh weather shifts.