ISLAMABAD — An international rescue effort is underway after 10 climbers, including an American, went missing following an avalanche on Broad Peak, one of the world’s tallest and most challenging mountains, in northern Pakistan.

The expedition was led by renowned Nepal-born mountaineer Nirmal “Nims” Purja, one of the world’s most accomplished high-altitude climbers. The group lost contact after the avalanche struck during their ascent, raising fears for their safety in the harsh conditions of the Karakoram mountain range.

According to the Alpine Club of Pakistan, initial reports indicate that the avalanche hit the climbing team on Broad Peak, which rises to 8,051 meters (26,414 feet) and is the world’s 12th-highest mountain. Since the incident, no communication has been received from the climbers.

“The climbers have been out of contact since the avalanche,” Alpine Club of Pakistan Vice President Karrar Haidri said in a statement issued late Thursday, adding that rescue authorities are working to gather more information about the team’s whereabouts.

International Team Included Climbers From Several Countries

The missing expedition includes climbers from multiple nations, highlighting the international appeal of Pakistan’s towering Himalayan and Karakoram peaks.

According to Haidri, the group consists of:

• Five Nepalese climbers, including expedition leader Nirmal Purja
• Pakistani mountaineer Sohail Sakhi from Hunza
• Omani climber Nathira
• American climber Mallory Geis
• Chinese climber identified as Wang
• Another foreign climber whose identity has not yet been publicly released

Officials have not disclosed the exact altitude where the avalanche occurred or whether the climbers were ascending or descending at the time.

Rescue Operations Face Difficult Conditions

Search and rescue teams are assessing weather conditions and planning operations in one of the world’s most difficult mountain environments.

Broad Peak lies near K2, the world’s second-highest mountain, in Pakistan’s remote Gilgit-Baltistan region. The mountain is known for its steep slopes, unpredictable weather, deep snow, and avalanche-prone terrain, making rescue missions especially dangerous and dependent on favorable conditions.

Authorities said helicopters may be deployed if weather permits, although poor visibility, high winds, and heavy snowfall often complicate aerial rescue efforts in the region.

Mountain rescue experts note that avalanches can bury climbers beneath deep snow or force them into inaccessible terrain, making survival and rescue increasingly difficult as time passes.

Nirmal Purja’s Global Reputation

The missing expedition has drawn international attention because it is led by Nirmal Purja, one of the most celebrated figures in modern mountaineering.

Purja, a former member of the British Special Boat Service (SBS), gained worldwide recognition in 2019 after completing the ascent of all 14 mountains higher than 8,000 meters in just over six months—a feat that shattered previous records and was documented in the Netflix film 14 Peaks: Nothing Is Impossible.

He has since led numerous commercial expeditions and has been involved in several high-profile mountain rescue missions across the Himalayas.

Pakistan’s Mountains Attract Climbers Despite Risks

Pakistan is home to five of the world’s fourteen peaks above 8,000 meters, making it one of the premier destinations for elite mountaineers. Every climbing season, hundreds of adventurers travel to the country’s northern mountains in pursuit of some of the world’s most demanding summits.

However, the region’s rugged terrain and rapidly changing weather conditions make mountaineering inherently dangerous. Avalanches, falling rocks, crevasses, extreme cold, and altitude sickness remain constant threats, even for experienced climbers.

Several fatal accidents have occurred in recent years on K2, Broad Peak, and nearby mountains, underscoring the risks associated with high-altitude expeditions.

Awaiting Further Information

As rescue efforts continue, families, fellow climbers, and the international mountaineering community are anxiously awaiting updates on the missing team.

Pakistani authorities and the Alpine Club of Pakistan said they are monitoring the situation closely and will provide additional information as search operations progress.

The fate of the 10 climbers remains unknown, with hopes resting on rescue teams’ ability to reach the remote avalanche site as quickly and safely as conditions allow.