Ten international climbers are missing on Pakistan's Broad Peak after an avalanche struck the mountain, according to initial reports received by the Alpine Club of Pakistan.
The climbers, led by Nepal-born mountaineer Nirmal Purja, also known as Nims Dai, have been out of communication since the incident occurred late Thursday.
The expedition includes five climbers from Nepal, Pakistani mountaineer Sohail Sakhi, Omani climber Nathira, American climber Mallory Geis, a Chinese climber identified as Wang, and another foreign national. Purja, a British citizen, previously held the record for scaling the world's 14 highest peaks in 189 days in 2019.
The Alpine Club of Pakistan is working with government officials to organize an immediate search and rescue operation, subject to weather and operational conditions. Helicopters and other resources are being mobilized.
Broad Peak, located in the Karakoram range, stands at 8,047 meters (26,401 feet) and is the world's 12th highest mountain. Pakistan is a destination for climbers worldwide due to its numerous high peaks.
Moving Mountains, a travel company based in Pakistan, had announced the expedition was en route to Askole last month. For Mallory Geis, 39, of San Antonio, this was to be her first attempt at an 8,000-meter peak in Pakistan. Sohail Sakhi, a guide for Moving Mountains, geographer, and photographer, was expected to attempt his final major climb.
The Alpine Club of Pakistan stated it is closely monitoring the situation and coordinating with all stakeholders, expressing solidarity with the climbers' families and the international mountaineering community.