Ten Climbers, Including Nirmal Purja, Missing After Avalanche on Broad Peak

PAKISTAN — Ten climbers, including famous Nepali mountaineer Nirmal “Nims” Purja, are missing after a large avalanche hit the upper part of Broad Peak, one of the highest mountains in the world. Officials say the group has not been heard from since Thursday afternoon, and rescue teams are preparing to search the area as soon as weather conditions improve.

Purja, who is 43 years old, is known around the world for his record‑breaking climbing achievements. Born in Nepal and also a former member of the British Special Forces, he became internationally famous in 2019 when he climbed all 14 mountains above 8,000 metres in a little over six months — a feat no one had ever done so quickly.

The team missing on Broad Peak includes climbers from Nepal, Pakistan, the United States, China, Oman, and Russia. They were moving between high camps when the avalanche struck. Broad Peak, which rises to 8,047 metres, is located in Pakistan’s Karakoram mountain range and is known for its dangerous weather and unstable snow conditions.

According to the Alpine Club of Pakistan, other climbers on the mountain reported seeing or hearing signs of an avalanche in the area where Purja’s team was climbing. After that, all communication with the group stopped. The club’s vice‑president, Karrar Haidri, said that repeated attempts to contact the climbers through satellite devices have failed.

Search and rescue teams are on standby, but strong winds, heavy clouds, and the risk of more avalanches have made it difficult for helicopters to fly. Ground teams may begin moving toward the higher camps once conditions become safer.

Broad Peak is considered one of the more challenging 8,000‑metre peaks. The route between Camp 2 and Camp 3, where the team was believed to be climbing, is especially risky because of steep slopes and frequent snow movement.

Families of the climbers, along with the international climbing community, are anxiously waiting for updates. Many climbers around the world have expressed hope that the team may have found shelter or survived the avalanche.

Rescue officials say the next 24 to 48 hours will be critical as they try to reach the area and gather more information.