In a developing breaking emergency unfolding on one of the world’s most formidable high-altitude peaks, a 10-person international mountaineering expedition led by legendary Nepal-born climber and former British Royal Marine Nirmal Purja has been unaccounted for following a sudden avalanche on Pakistan’s Broad Peak.
The destructive snow slide hit the climbing team around midday local time Thursday on the 8,047-meter mountain, located in Pakistan’s remote Karakoram mountain range, according to local Pakistani mountaineering authorities. In the hours since the avalanche struck, no contact has been reestablished with any member of the group, leaving rescue teams and the global mountaineering community deeply concerned.
The expedition includes climbers of four nationalities: one American, one Chinese, one Omani, and five Nepali expedition members, alongside team leader Purja. Purja, one of the most high-profile high-altitude climbers of his generation, rose to international fame in 2019 for completing a historic feat: summiting all 14 of the planet’s peaks that exceed 8,000 meters in elevation in just over six months, a breakthrough achievement that redefined what was considered possible in elite alpinism.
A former service member with the British Armed Forces, Purja’s path to becoming a world-famous climber began in 2003 when he enlisted in the British Army, earning a place in the Royal Marines in 2009. His professional climbing career launched unexpectedly in 2012, when he trekked to Everest Base Camp and made the spontaneous decision to continue upward to summit the world’s highest peak, launching his legendary career.
Broad Peak, the 12th highest mountain on Earth, is widely recognized as one of the most technically challenging peaks for high-altitude expeditions, even in the best climbing conditions. Right now, rescue teams are preparing to launch a large-scale search operation, with aerial helicopter search efforts planned as soon as weather conditions in the region are stable enough to permit flight.
The Alpine Club of Pakistan, the national governing body for mountaineering in the country, confirmed in an official statement Thursday that it has maintained constant coordination with Pakistani government agencies to launch an immediate search and rescue response. “Every possible effort is being made to secure helicopter support, and all available resources have been mobilized at the earliest opportunity,” the organization said. The statement concluded: “The Club prays for the safety and successful rescue of all the climbers and stands in solidarity with their families and the international mountaineering community during this difficult time.”
This is an ongoing breaking news story, with new details expected to emerge as search operations progress. Readers can access the latest updates through the BBC News mobile app, or by following BBC Breaking on the social platform X.