Nirmal Purja, the Nepal-born former Royal Marine and renowned mountaineer, is among 10 climbers feared missing after an avalanche struck Pakistan’s Broad Peak on Thursday. Pakistani mountaineering officials said the avalanche hit the 8,047-metre (26,400 ft) mountain in the Karakoram range around midday, after which there was no further communication with the international climbing team.
Nirmal Purja leads international team on Broad Peak
The climbing group is being led by Purja and includes an American, a Chinese national, an Omani and five Nepali climbers. The team was on Broad Peak, regarded as one of the more challenging mountains for expeditions, when the avalanche occurred.
Broad Peak is the world’s 12th-highest mountain and rises to 8,047 metres in Pakistan’s Karakoram range. The lack of communication following the avalanche has raised concerns over the safety of all 10 members of the expedition.
Helicopter rescue effort being considered
Authorities and mountaineering officials are working to organise a possible rescue operation. Karrar Haidri, vice-president of the Alpine Club of Pakistan, said efforts were underway to arrange a helicopter rescue on Friday morning Pakistani time, subject to weather conditions.
“We are coordinating with the authorities and trying to arrange a helicopter rescue on Friday morning Pakistani time depending on weather condition,”
The Alpine Club of Pakistan also said it had been in constant contact with authorities and was working to ensure that all available resources were mobilised as quickly as possible.
The organisation expressed hope for the climbers’ safety and successful rescue while extending its support to their families and the wider international mountaineering community.
Purja’s record-setting mountaineering career
Nirmal Purja is widely known for completing all 14 of the world’s mountains higher than 8,000 metres in just over six months in 2019. His achievement established him as one of the prominent figures in high-altitude mountaineering.
Before becoming known for his climbing achievements, Purja joined the British Army in 2003 and became a Royal Marine in 2009.
His mountaineering journey began in 2012, when he travelled to Everest base camp. He had originally planned to return, but instead decided to climb Mount Everest, marking the beginning of his climbing career.
Rescue operation depends on weather conditions
With communication with the 10-member team lost after Thursday’s avalanche, the immediate priority is to establish their location and assess their condition. The planned helicopter operation will depend on weather conditions in the high-altitude mountain region.
The Alpine Club of Pakistan said it was working with authorities to mobilise available resources at the earliest opportunity. Until contact is restored, the climbers remain feared missing.
Rescue efforts are expected to focus on locating the international team and bringing the climbers to safety, with weather conditions likely to play a key role in determining when aerial assistance can begin.
Source: Alpine Club of Pakistan, AFP
