Broad Peak Avalanche Leaves Seven Climbers Missing in Pakistan
Thursday’s violent avalanche on the slopes of Broad Peak—part of the famed K2 range—has stripped away a cluster of international climbers, leaving seven still missing from a ten‑person group that was trekking through the Karakoram foothills.
Rescue crews have recovered the remains of three climbers: Nadhira Ahmed Abdullah Al Harthy of Oman, Pur Bahadur Gurun from Nepal and Mallory Geis of the United States. The recoveries were made possible after the avalanche collapsed a section of the area’s climbing routes, creating a deadly trap for c. 10 in the vicinity.
The Pakistani mountain‑search teams, together with international mountaineering leaders, are continuing the operation into Saturday. Mountain police say the terrain remains volatile, with additional avalanches possible, which has slowed the gathering of information about the missing climbers.
British broadcaster BBC’s Caroline Davies highlighted the current knowledge in a short briefing, clarifying that the rescue efforts rely on satellite imaging and field reconnaissance, with hope that missing members will be found soon.
The incident has sparked concern over mountaineering protocols in the region. Experts caution that the Karakoram’s high‑altitude environment demands meticulous preparation and that the avalanche’s timing poses a serious threat to all climbers participating in the season.
