**Title: Four Bodies Found After Avalanche Strikes Broad Peak, Search for Missing Climbers Continues**
**Date: July 31, 2026**
Pakistani search and rescue teams have located the bodies of four climbers following a tragic avalanche on Broad Peak, which occurred during a climbing expedition that involved at least ten mountaineers. The incident took place on July 30, 2026, in the Karakoram mountain range, known for its challenging conditions and high-altitude peaks.
Among those reported missing is renowned Nepali mountaineer Nirmal Purja, widely recognized for his record-breaking achievements in high-altitude climbing. Purja, also known as Nims Dai, has gained international fame for being the fastest climber to ascend all 14 of the world's highest mountains, a feat he accomplished in just six months and six days in 2019.
The Alpine Club of Pakistan (ACP) confirmed the details of the incident, stating that the expedition team comprised ten climbers, including five from Nepal, one from Oman, one from the United States, one from China, and two British nationals. The climbers had been out of communication since the avalanche struck, prompting immediate concerns for their safety.
Sajid Hussain, the deputy director of the tourism department in Pakistan’s Gilgit-Baltistan region, reported that the search efforts were focusing on a remote and difficult area of the mountain. Despite the challenging weather conditions, rescue teams are working diligently to retrieve the bodies of the four climbers found, although the identities of the deceased have not yet been disclosed.
The ACP issued a statement expressing their deep concern over the situation and outlined the mobilization of all available rescue resources, including helicopter support, contingent on weather and operational conditions. The organization emphasized the urgency of the search operation as hopes remain for the six climbers still unaccounted for.
In response to the incident, China's foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning stated that Beijing is actively working to verify the situation and is prepared to offer assistance to Pakistan in the rescue efforts.
Broad Peak, standing at 8,047 meters, is the 12th-highest mountain in the world and is known for its technical climbing routes and unpredictable weather. The recent avalanche highlights the inherent risks associated with high-altitude climbing, particularly in the Karakoram range, which has seen a rise in climbers in recent years.
Nirmal Purja, 43, transitioned to full-time mountaineering and guiding in 2018 after serving in the British military. His climbing career has been marked by several significant achievements, including the first winter ascent of K2 in 2021 alongside a team of fellow Nepalese climbers. As the search for the remaining climbers continues, the mountaineering community and the families of those involved are anxiously awaiting further developments in this tragic situation.