Avalanche on Broad Peak kills ten climbers
On 30 July, an avalanche swept an international group of ten climbers from Broad Peak in Pakistan’s Karakoram. AP and Reuters reported that the group lost contact during the ascent and early search teams found bodies in the avalanche area.
Ground teams and Pakistan’s military aviation were deployed in the first days. Bad weather and altitude restricted flights and access to the site, turning the search gradually into a recovery operation.
On 1 August, Elite Exped confirmed that all ten members had died. They included British-Nepali mountaineer Nirmal Purja. The Alpine Club of Pakistan later reported that helicopters had brought some of the bodies to Skardu.
Sources: Associated Press — All 10 climbers swept away in avalanche in Pakistan are confirmed deadReuters / ThePrint — Three bodies recovered after 10 climbers go missing on Pakistani mountainDawn — Bodies of Nirmal Purja, 4 other climbers airlifted to Skardu after Broad Peak avalanche
Context
Broad Peak rises to 8,051 m beside the K2 massif. The Karakoram summer climbing season depends on short weather windows, and even helicopters cannot always operate at altitude in snowfall.