Ten climbers, including Nirmal Purja, missing after Pakistan avalanche

A team of ten climbers, led by celebrated Nepali mountaineer Nirmal Purja, is feared missing following a devastating avalanche on Broad Peak in Pakistan's Karakoram mountain range. The Alpine Club of Pakistan (ACP) reported the deeply concerning incident late Thursday, confirming that the team has been unreachable since the avalanche struck.

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The Alpine Club of Pakistan (ACP) has received deeply concerning reports of an avalanche that struck a team of climbers on Broad Peak (8,047m) in the Karakoram mountain range.

Broad Peak, standing at 8,047 meters (26,399 feet), is the world's 12th-highest mountain. The expedition included five climbers from Nepal, one from Pakistan, one from Oman, one from China, and one from the United States, with the nationality of the tenth climber not yet disclosed. The ACP stated that all communication with the group ceased after the avalanche.

Rescue operations are being mobilized, with efforts to deploy helicopter support and other available resources commencing as soon as weather and operational conditions permit. Nirmal Purja, also known as Nims Dai, is a highly accomplished mountaineer who has set numerous records, including climbing all 14 peaks above 8,000 meters in under seven months in 2019. He was also part of the first winter ascent of K2 in 2021.

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The entire team has reportedly been out of communication since the avalanche.

The ACP expressed that "every possible effort is being made" to facilitate the rescue. The mountaineering community and families of the climbers await further news with bated breath as the search and rescue operation commences in the challenging high-altitude environment.

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Every possible effort is being made to ensure that helicopter support and all available rescue resources are mobilised at the earliest opportunity, subject to weather and operational conditions.