KARAKORAM RANGE, 1 August 2026 (TON): Six climbers from Nepal, Pakistan, Oman, USA and China went missing on Thursday morning after they trapped in avalanche in the Broad Peak (8,051 metres), located in the Karakoram range near world second highest peak K2 in Pakistan.
Pakistani authorities recovered four bodies including Oman’s Nadhira Ahmed Abdullah Al Harthy and Nepal’s Pur Bahadur Gurung. Renowned Nepalese climber Nirmal Purja remained among six climbers missing. The other missing climbers were Sohail Sakhi from Pakistan, Wang Zhong from China and Mallory Geis from the US. Those who remained safe included Kili Pemba Sherpa, Nima Sherpa, Nawang Thindu Sherpa and Gyalu Sherpa from Nepal.
After an avalanche struck the expedition Pakistani authorities carried out extensive operations despite adverse weather. Search and rescue operations are underway, but bad weather has severely affected efforts, with helicopters facing operational constraints in the mountainous terrain.
Broad Peak (8,051 metres), located in the Karakoram range near K2, is the world’s 12th-highest mountain and is considered one of the most challenging peaks to climb. According to the Alpine Club of Pakistan (ACP), the avalanche struck the mountain at an altitude of around 7,000 metres on Thursday, sweeping away a 10-member climbing team that had begun its summit push.