Omani woman, US novice among climbers recovered from Pakistan's Broad Peak after avalanche

Rescuers have recovered four bodies from Pakistan's Broad Peak following a deadly avalanche that swept away climbers, while the search continues for six others still missing on the world's 12th-largest peak. The harsh weather conditions have significantly hampered the efforts of search and rescue helicopters.

Among the identified victims is Nadhira Al Harthy, an Omani national who made history as the first woman from her country to summit Mount Everest. The recovered bodies also include Pur Bahadur Gurung, a Nepali climber, and Sarah Mallory Geis, an American climber. The identity of the fourth recovered body has not yet been released.

The expedition comprised climbers from various nations, including five Nepali climbers, the Omani and American climbers, Pakistani climber Sohail Sakhi, and a Chinese climber identified only as Wang. The team was led by Nirmal Purja, a celebrated Nepal-born mountaineer known as Nims Dai, famous for his record-breaking ascent of the world's 14 highest peaks in 2019.

Broad Peak, standing at 8,051 meters (26,414 feet), is considered one of Pakistan's most challenging climbs. The avalanche occurred around midday on Thursday in a remote and difficult-to-access area. Pur Bahadur Gurung, known as Yukta, was a highly experienced climber with multiple successful ascents of 8,000-meter peaks and a history of participating in mountain rescue operations.

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The area in which the search is taking place is “remote and difficult”.