Renowned Netflix documentary climber among those missing in avalanche
Renowned Netflix documentary climber among those missing in avalanche
Anthony Thompson, USA TODAYFri, July 31, 2026 at 5:45 PM UTC
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A renowned mountaineer featured in a Netflix documentary and an American climber are among 10 people missing after an avalanche struck Broad Peak, one of the world's highest mountains, in northern Pakistan on Thursday, July 30, according to Reuters and the Alpine Club of Pakistan.
Four bodies were recovered on Friday, July 31, Reuters reported.
Among those missing is Nepali climber Nirmal Purja, 43, Reuters reported, who set a record for the fastest ascent of the world's 14 highest mountains.
The avalanche hit the 26,401-foot mountain in Pakistan's Karakoram range around midday local time on July 30, the Alpine Club of Pakistan said. The organization said it lost contact with the expedition after the avalanche and immediately began coordinating with government agencies to support a search-and-rescue mission.
Rescue efforts remained underway July 31 as two Pakistan Army helicopters and ground rescue teams searched Broad Peak. Gilgit-Baltistan Police said in a Facebook post that difficult geographical and weather conditions were slowing the operation, with rescuers proceeding "with extreme caution."
4 bodies recovered, 6 missing
Authorities said four bodies have been recovered so far, Reuters reported. The Alpine Club of Pakistan later identified two of the recovered victims as Omani national Nadhira Al Harthy and Nepalese climber Pur Bahadur Gurung, known as "Yukta."
USA TODAY reached out to the Alpine Club of Pakistan and the Gilgit-Baltistan Police on July 31 for additional information about the rescue operation, including the status of the missing climbers and the identities of the remaining recovered victims, but did not immediately receive a response.
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Renowned climber Nirmal Purja, 1 American among those missing
The expedition consisted of five Nepalese climbers led by Nirmal "Nims" Purja, Pakistani climber Sohail Sakhi of Hunza, American climber Mallory Geis, Chinese climber Wang Zhong, Omani climber Nadhira Al Harthy and one additional foreign climber, according to the Alpine Club of Pakistan.
Purja is among the world's most accomplished mountaineers. Born in Nepal and now a British citizen, he served for 16 years in the British military and became the first Gurkha to join the United Kingdom's elite Special Boat Service.
He gained international recognition after his historic climbing feat was chronicled in the 2021 Netflix documentary "14 Peaks: Nothing Is Impossible."
Search continues on one of the world's highest peaks
The Alpine Club of Pakistan said it has remained in contact with government authorities and emergency agencies as the rescue operation continues.
"Every possible effort is being made to ensure that helicopter support and all available rescue resources are mobilized at the earliest opportunity, subject to weather and operational conditions," the organization said in a statement.
Broad Peak, located along the Pakistan-China border, is the world's 12th-highest mountain. Since it was first summited in 1957, the peak has claimed dozens of lives, reflecting the significant risks climbers face from avalanches, extreme weather, and altitude.
Reporter Anthony Thompson can be reached at ajthompson@usatodayco.com, or on X @athompsonUSAT.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Renowned Netflix documentary climber among those missing in avalanche
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
