Broad Peak search for bodies of 3 climbers paused

The mission to recover the remains of Pakistani climber Sohail Sakhi and two foreign climbers missing after a deadly Broad Peak avalanche has been suspended. Rescue officials cited the continuing risk of fresh avalanches as the reason for halting the operation.

Search teams worked for eight days to locate the bodies of Sakhi, American Sarah Mallory Geis, and Nepalese Nawang Thindu Sherpa. Deteriorating conditions forced authorities to suspend the mission. The Alpine Club of Pakistan reported that a leg believed to belong to Geis was recovered. Sherpa’s body has been located but lies in a highly dangerous, avalanche-prone area, making retrieval impossible for now. Rescue efforts will resume once weather conditions improve and the area is deemed safe.

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Search efforts would resume once weather conditions improve and the area is safe.

Meanwhile, the bodies of five foreign climbers who died in the avalanche were flown from Skardu to Islamabad. They were received by airport officials and transferred to a mortuary for repatriation arrangements. The deceased climbers were wrapped in their national flags before being handed over to airport authorities by the Pakistan Army. Three bodies will be repatriated to Nepal, while one will be sent to the UK. The family of Chinese climber Zhong is expected in Islamabad to collect his body.

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rescue teams would return to Broad Peak when conditions permit.