Rescue teams in Pakistan have resumed a high-altitude search operation for seven climbers missing after an avalanche struck one of the world’s highest mountains, with the bodies of three climbers already recovered.
The avalanche occurred two days ago, cutting off communication with an international expedition involving 10 climbers led by renowned British-Nepali mountaineer Nirmal Purja. Purja was not among the three bodies found so far.
Authorities said the recovered bodies were flown by helicopter to a hospital for official identification.
Local officials confirmed that the deceased included an American woman, an Omani woman and a Nepali man.
Police in the mountainous Gilgit-Baltistan region said high-altitude porters and rescue teams began the second day of search efforts after operations were suspended the previous day due to harsh weather conditions.
The authorities said rescuers had detected several more possible bodies through drone footage, while efforts continued in difficult terrain and extreme high-altitude weather.
The rescue operation involves Pakistan’s military working together with climbers and local high-altitude rescue teams to locate the missing mountaineers.
The avalanche struck while the group was at an altitude of around 6,600 metres during an attempt to summit Broad Peak, which stands at 8,047 metres.
The expedition consisted of 10 climbers, including Purja, five Nepali nationals, one Pakistani climber, an Omani, an American and a climber from China.
Located in Pakistan’s northern Karakoram mountain range, Broad Peak is the world’s 12th highest mountain and is considered one of the most challenging peaks among those exceeding 8,000 metres.
The mountain was first successfully climbed in 1957 by an Austrian expedition team. – AFP
