Helicopter rescue considered for 10 climbers uncontactable on Broad Peak
Developed over time first seen 2 months ago
A ten-member international climbing team led by Nirmal Purja, the Nepal-born former Royal Marine and record-breaking mountaineer, is feared missing after an avalanche on Broad Peak in northern Pakistan. The climbers have not made contact since the incident, raising serious concern and prompting plans for a weather-dependent helicopter rescue.
The avalanche struck around midday on Thursday on the 8,047m Broad Peak in the Karakoram range, the world’s 12th-highest mountain and a demanding expedition route. Officials said the group included an American, a Chinese national, a Pakistani, an Omani and six Nepalis. Purja is known for climbing all 14 mountains above 8,000m in just over six months in 2019.
- Ten climbers are feared missing after an avalanche on Broad Peak.
- A helicopter rescue is being considered, subject to weather conditions.
- The team is led by record-breaking mountaineer Nirmal Purja.
New here? Start with this
Broad Peak is one of the world’s highest mountains, standing at 8,047 metres in Pakistan’s Karakoram range near the border with China. It is one of the 14 peaks above 8,000 metres, where climbers face extreme cold, thin air, high winds and a greater risk of avalanches.
Expeditions on such mountains usually rely on fixed camps, climbing partners and support teams to move supplies and monitor conditions. Helicopters can sometimes assist with rescues, but high altitude, poor weather and strong winds can sharply limit when and how far they can fly.
Nirmal Purja is a Nepal-born mountaineer and former Royal Marine who became widely known after climbing all 14 of the world’s 8,000-metre peaks in 2019. International teams often include climbers and Nepali high-altitude workers, whose experience is central to many Himalayan and Karakoram expeditions.
More coverage
Read the full article at the source →
Originally published by BBC World as “Nirmal Purja among 10 climbers feared missing after avalanche”.