The group, led by ‘14 Peaks’ star Nirmal Purja, is made up of climbers from Nepal, the US, China, Pakistan and Oman
1-MIN READ1-MIN ListenAssociated PressPublished: 10:20am, 31 Jul 2026Ten international climbers led by a renowned Nepal-born mountaineer were missing after an avalanche struck Broad Peak, one of the world’s highest mountains in northern Pakistan.The Alpine Club of Pakistan received initial reports that the avalanche struck the team led by Nirmal Purja and the climbers had been out of communication since then, club vice-president Karrar Haidri said in a statement late on Thursday.
The expedition included five Nepalese climbers, Pakistani mountaineer Sohail Sakhi of Hunza, Omani climber Nathira, American climber Mallory Geis, a Chinese climber identified as Wang, and another foreign climber, Haidri said.
The club’s president, Major General Irfan Arshad, and its senior leaders were in contact with government officials to facilitate an immediate search-and-rescue operation.
The club said every effort was being made to mobilise helicopters and other rescue resources quickly, subject to weather and operational conditions.
