Key facts
- A 10-member mountaineering team is missing after an avalanche on Broad Peak in Pakistan.
- The expedition was led by Nirmal 'Nims' Purja, a former British special forces soldier and record-breaking mountaineer.
- The group lost contact around midday on Thursday.
- The team included climbers from Nepal, Pakistan, Oman, the US, and China.
- Rescue operations are being organized by the Alpine Club of Pakistan, with helicopters to be deployed as weather allows.
A group of 10 climbers, including Nirmal 'Nims' Purja, a former British special forces soldier and renowned high-altitude mountaineer, are feared missing after an avalanche struck Pakistan's Broad Peak. The avalanche occurred around midday on Thursday, and the team has been out of contact since.
Broad Peak, the 12th highest mountain in the world at 8,051 meters (26,414 feet), is considered a challenging ascent. The Alpine Club of Pakistan is working with government officials to organize a search and rescue operation, aiming to deploy helicopters as soon as weather conditions permit. Tracking data suggests a rapid descent consistent with an avalanche.
Purja, known for his record-breaking feat of climbing all 14 of the world's 8,000-meter peaks in just over six months in 2019, was leading the expedition. The group also included five Nepalese climbers, Pakistani climber Sohail Sakhi, Omani climber Nadhira, American mountaineer Mallory Geis, and a Chinese climber identified as Mr Wang, with one climber's nationality unknown. Purja previously served for 16 years in the British military, including with UK Special Forces.