Rescue authorities have lost contact with a 10-member international climbing team on Broad Peak after an avalanche struck the mountain, according to the Alpine Club of Pakistan (ACP).
The avalanche hit the 8,047-metre peak around midday on Thursday while the expedition, led by renowned mountaineer Nirmal “Nims” Purja, was making its ascent, the ACP has said. Initial reports indicated that the team had been caught in the slide.
According to the club, the expedition comprised Pakistani mountaineer Sohail Sakhi of Hunza, five Nepalese climbers, an American, an Omani, a Chinese national, and one other foreign climber.
ACP Vice President Karrar Haidri stated that the club was closely monitoring the situation and coordinating with government authorities and rescue agencies. In a statement issued on Thursday, the club said that efforts were under way to mobilise helicopter support and ground rescue teams as soon as weather and operational conditions permitted.
According to GPS (Global Positioning System) tracking data cited by the ACP, the climbers had been swept approximately one kilometre down the mountain by the avalanche and were believed to be trapped.
ACP General Secretary Ayaz Shigri said that the team had launched its summit push on Wednesday and was heading towards Camp 3 when the avalanche occurred. The climbers had been aiming to reach the summit by Friday.
“The club prays for the safety and successful rescue of all the climbers and stands in solidarity with their families and the international mountaineering community during this difficult time,” the ACP said in its statement.
The incident overshadowed an otherwise active day on Pakistan’s northern peaks, where more than 200 foreign climbers were advancing towards higher camps on K2, Gasherbrum I and Broad Peak after improved weather created a favourable summit window.
