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All 10 Climbers Swept Away in Pakistan Avalanche Confirmed Dead
🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia /Disasters & Emergencies

All 10 Climbers Swept Away in Pakistan Avalanche Confirmed Dead

From Asharq Al-Awsat · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Outcome reported
  • Renowned British-Nepali climber Nirmal Purja and nine other climbers were confirmed dead after an avalanche on Pakistan's Broad Peak.
  • Search teams recovered three of the four bodies found Friday, with harsh weather hampering rescue efforts.
  • The incident highlights the immense risks faced by climbers in the high Himalaya and Karakoram regions.

The world of mountaineering mourns the loss of Nirmal Purja, a celebrated climber, and nine others who perished in a devastating avalanche on Pakistan's Broad Peak. Purja's expedition company, Elite Exped, confirmed the deaths Saturday, describing him as "one of mountaineering's greatest climbers" and "a leader who inspired millions."

The world has lost one of mountaineering's greatest climbers.

— Elite ExpedPurja's expedition company statement confirming the deaths.

The 10-member expedition was swept away by the avalanche on Thursday. Search and rescue teams faced challenging conditions, managing to find four bodies and recover three on Friday. Harsh weather continued to impede efforts on Saturday, with military helicopters assisting the search for the remaining climbers.

No words can ease the pain of this unimaginable loss.

— Elite ExpedPurja's expedition company statement confirming the deaths.

The Alpine Club of Pakistan president, Irfan Arshad Khan, paid tribute to the deceased, calling their loss "an immeasurable loss to the global mountaineering fraternity." He also commended the military, civilian rescuers, and sherpas involved in the difficult search mission. Khan noted the inherent dangers of high-altitude climbing, stating, "The mountains inspire us with their beauty, but they also remind us of the immense risks."

The loss of these courageous climbers, who came from different nations united by their passion for the mountains, is an immeasurable loss to the global mountaineering fraternity.

— Irfan Arshad KhanPresident of the Alpine Club of Pakistan, commenting on the incident.

Among the confirmed dead were Omani climber Nathira Ahmed, American climber Mallory Geis, and Nepalese climber Bahadur Gurung. China's embassy in Pakistan also confirmed a Chinese mountaineer was among the missing. Purja, known as Nims Dai, was famous for climbing the world's 14 highest peaks in a record 189 days in 2019. His company remembered him for his "courage, humility and unwavering belief that human potential is far greater than we often imagine."

The mountains inspire us with their beauty, but they also remind us of the immense risks faced by those who venture into the high Himalaya and Karakoram.

— Irfan Arshad KhanPresident of the Alpine Club of Pakistan, commenting on the incident.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Asharq Al-Awsat in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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