Four bodies have been recovered by ground rescue teams following an avalanche on Pakistan’s 8,047-metre Broad Peak on Thursday, according to Irfan Arshad Khan, president of the Alpine Club of Pakistan. The identities of the bodies have not yet been confirmed.

The missing climbers include Nepal-born climber and former Royal Marine Nirmal Purja, along with Nepali climbers Pur Bahadur Gurung, Kili Pemba Sherpa, Nima Sherpa, Gyalu Sherpa and Nawang Thindu Sherpa. The team also includes Pakistani climber Sohail Sakhi, Chinese climber Wang Zhong, American climber Mallory Geis and Omani climber Ahmed Abdullah Al Harthy, according to a statement posted by the Alpine Club of Pakistan on its official Instagram account.

The Alpine Club of Pakistan said it received “deeply concerning reports” of an avalanche that struck the climbing team on Broad Peak in the Karakoram mountain range around midday on Thursday.

Major General Khan, president of the club, and its senior leadership are in contact with government authorities and relevant agencies to coordinate search and rescue operations.

“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 statement said.

The club said it was closely monitoring the situation and coordinating with all stakeholders involved in the rescue effort.