Search teams in Pakistan continued afoot to locate the remains of 10 climbers who perished in an avalanche on Broad Peak, the world's 12th-highest mountain. Authorities stated that inclement weather on Tuesday prevented helicopters from joining the ongoing search and recovery operation in the Gilgit-Baltistan region.
Helicopters remained on standby but were unable to fly by midday, according to a statement from the regional government. The avalanche, which occurred on Thursday, swept away climbers from Nepal, Oman, Pakistan, China, Britain, and the United States. The Alpine Club of Pakistan has described the incident as one of the country's deadliest mountaineering disasters.
Ground teams have successfully located the remains of eight climbers, and at least three bodies were brought down the mountain on Saturday, officials reported. Among those killed was Nirmal Purja, a former British Army soldier of Nepali origin, widely known as Nims Dai, who was attempting to ascend the peak. His expedition company announced his death, stating that the world had lost a significant figure in mountaineering.
Pakistan's Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar expressed his condolences on Tuesday to the families of the victims and the governments of China, Nepal, Oman, the United Kingdom, and the United States. He also offered sympathy to the family of Pakistani mountaineer Sohail Sakhi, acknowledging his bravery and passion for the mountains. Dar remarked that the determination shown by those who died represented the true spirit of mountaineering and would inspire future generations. He commended the rescue and recovery teams for their persistent efforts and affirmed Pakistan's commitment to the operation in collaboration with the respective embassies.
Mountaineering in northern Pakistan carries inherent risks, including avalanches, falling ice and rock, extreme altitudes, and rapidly changing weather conditions. In a separate incident last year, a Chinese mountaineer died after being struck by falling rocks while descending K2, Pakistan's second-highest mountain. Typically, the remains of foreign climbers who die on Pakistani peaks are recovered at the request of their families and governments. If a family chooses not to pursue recovery, the remains are left at the location where the climber died.