What we know about the Pakistan avalanche and missing climbers
A sudden avalanche struck the climbing route on Pakistan’s Broad Peak on Thursday, sweeping away a number of climbers and leaving seven missing from a ten‑person expedition.
The team, which was attempting to reach the summit in the Karakoram range, was confronted by a massive avalanche of snow and rocks that traveled down the slopes towards the e‑S Himalayan foothills. Rescue officials confidently state that the group had begun their descent just before the disaster, making them vulnerable to the fast‑moving slide.
So far, the remains of three climbers have been located: Oman’s Nadhira Ahmed Abdullah Al Harthy, Nepal’s Pur Bahadur Gurun and the United States’ Mallory Geis. In all three cases, bodies were found in the lower slopes or in river grounds a short distance from the original avalanche path.
The missing seven remain unaccounted for, and their last known location is the high‑altitude plateau that lies 4,500 metres above sea level. The search is ongoing; the Pakistan Mountain Rescue Organisation, in cooperation with local guides and international teams, is conducting ground‑based sweeps in the most likely areas.
Mountain climbers and experts have expressed concerns about the growing risks of high‑altitude avalanches, citing weather patterns that may be causing stones to loosen more frequently on the Broad Peak. Authorities are urging climbers to adopt a cautious approach when attempting new routes during the early season, noting that any misstep or shift in the weather can turn a seemingly safe ascent into a life‑threatening event.
