Four bodies, including that of the Sultanate of Oman’s Everest climber Nadhira al Harthy, have been recovered following an avalanche below Camp III on Broad Peak (8,047m) in Pakistan’s Karakoram, authorities said, as a search mission continues for the remaining climbers unaccounted for since the disaster struck the mountain on Thursday.
” The Alpine Club of Pakistan confirms, with profound sorrow, the loss of two climbers in the July 30 avalanche on Broad Peak: Nadhira Al Harthy of Oman and Pur Bahadur Gurung “Yukta” of Nepal. Nadhira’s body has been recovered and is being transported by helicopter to Skardu. Arrangements for Yukta’s transport are underway. The identities of the remaining climbers will be confirmed and shared as soon as official information becomes available. We urge everyone to await verified updates from ACP before sharing further details. Search and rescue operations continue for those still missing. Our thoughts remain with all the families and the global mountaineering community during this difficult time.”
The avalanche struck just before 9:30 am local time yesterday, catching 10 summit-bound climbers at 6,600m.
Their InReach trackers showed a rapid fall of hundreds of meters. Some came to rest almost at Base Camp. For some reason, the call for an aerial rescue was only made hours later.
So far, the Alpine Club of Pakistan has confirmed the identities of two of the deceased climbers. They are Nadhira Al Harthy of Oman and Pur Bahadur Gurung, known as Yukta, of Nepal.
Nadhira had become the first Omani woman to summit Everest in 2019 and was involved in climbing the 14 8,000’ers. She had also summited K2 and Manaslu, among other peaks. She was on Broad Peak with Seven Summit Treks.
“Officials have yet to officially confirm the identities of all four bodies, though expedition sources reported that the bodies of Nepali climber Pur Bahadur Gurung — known as “Yukta” — and Omani climber Nadhira Al Harthy had been recovered, accounting for two of the four bodies confirmed by the minister. The identities of the remaining two have not yet been officially confirmed,” the local Pakistani media said.
At least 10 climbers went missing when the avalanche struck the team twice just below Camp III, according to preliminary information gathered by The Tourism Times from multiple sources.
Climbers who lost contact
From Elite Exped: Nepali-British climber Nirmal Purja “Nimsdai,” IFMGA guide Yukta Gurung of Gorkha, and Nima Sherpa of Makalu.
From Seven Summit Treks: Omani climber Nadhira Al Harthy, Gyalu Sherpa of Okhaldhunga, and Nwang Thendu Sherpa of Makalu.
From Imagine Nepal Treks: Kili Pemba Sherpa of Rolwaling, who recently completed all 14 eight-thousanders, and Chinese climber Wang Zhong.
The Alpine Club of Pakistan said Pakistani guide Sohail Sakhi and his American client, Mallory Geis, also went missing in the avalanche.
A helicopter has been mobilized for the search-and-rescue operation, officials said.
