A rescue operation is under way on Pakistan’s 8,047-metre Broad Peak after an avalanche struck an international climbing team on Thursday, leaving several climbers, including Nepal-born mountaineer Nirmal Purja, widely known as “Nims Dai”, missing. Four bodies have been recovered so far, according to Irfan Arshad Khan, president of the Alpine Club of Pakistan.

The identities of those recovered have not yet been confirmed.

The missing climbers include Purja, Pur Bahadur Gurung, Kili Pemba Sherpa, Nima Sherpa, Gyalu Sherpa and Nawang Thindu Sherpa. The group also includes Pakistani climber Sohail Sakhi, Chinese climber Wang Zhong, American climber Mallory Geis and Omani climber Ahmed Abdullah Al Harthy.

What is the latest update on search and rescue efforts?

Pakistan has mobilised helicopters, drones and ground teams to search for the missing climbers, Nepal’s ambassador to Pakistan Rita Dhital said.

Speaking to Kantipur from Pakistan, Dhital said rescue teams, equipment and helicopters had been deployed from Skardu.

“Helicopters are being used for search operations, while drones are also monitoring the incident site,” she said.

Ground rescue teams have also reached the area, she added.

The Alpine Club of Pakistan said it was coordinating with government authorities and other agencies to ensure all available resources were deployed.

“Every possible effort is being made to ensure that helicopter support and all available rescue resources are mobilised at the earliest opportunity, subject to weather and operational conditions,” the club said.

How did the avalanche unfold?

The avalanche struck the climbing team on Broad Peak in the Karakoram mountain range around midday on Thursday, according to the Alpine Club of Pakistan.

At 8,047 metres, Broad Peak is the world’s 12th-highest mountain and is considered one of the most challenging peaks for high-altitude expeditions. The mountain lies in Pakistan’s Karakoram range, near K2, the world’s second-highest mountain.

Thaneshwar Guragain, general manager of Seven Summit Treks, said some climbers swept away by the avalanche were brought back to base camp through an overland rescue effort. The bodies were found during that operation.

Poor weather conditions initially prevented helicopter flights, slowing rescue efforts.

What is the status of the climbers?

Guragain said the chances of finding missing climbers alive were becoming increasingly difficult with time. Four bodies have been found by rescue teams so far.

Officials say rescue operations in Pakistan generally take longer than in Nepal because helicopter operations are largely controlled through military channels and require multiple clearances.

Who is Nirmal Purja?

Purja, widely known as Nimsdai, became internationally known in 2019 after climbing all 14 peaks above 8,000 metres in just over six months, setting a world record.

Before becoming a professional mountaineer, he served in the British Army and later joined the Royal Marines.

His mountaineering career began after a 2012 trek to Everest Base Camp, when he decided to continue towards the summit of Everest instead of returning as originally planned. He holds multiple world records on high-altitude mountaineering.

This is a developing story and the story will be updated throughout the day.