Tragedy on the Karakoram
A high-altitude rescue mission is underway in Pakistan’s Karakoram range following a massive avalanche on Broad Peak that has left 10 climbers missing. As of Friday, July 31, 2026, search teams have located four bodies on the mountain, with three confirmed as recovered and transported to local facilities, according to officials from the Gilgit-Baltistan regional government and the Alpine Club of Pakistan.
The recovered victims have been identified as Nepalese climber Pur Bahadur Gurung, Omani mountaineer Nadhira Al-Harthy, and American climber Mallory Geis. Geis, a 39-year-old from San Antonio, Texas, had recently transitioned to full-time mountaineering. Al-Harthy was a trailblazing figure in Oman, having become the first Omani woman to summit Mount Everest. The identity of the fourth body located by search teams has not yet been publicly released.
The Disappearance of a Mountaineering Icon
Among those still missing is Nirmal “Nims” Purja, a globally renowned mountaineer who revolutionized commercial high-altitude climbing with his 2019 “Project Possible” achievement. Purja, who led the expedition, was attempting to climb all 14 of the world’s 8,000-meter peaks twice without the use of supplemental oxygen. His team, Elite Exped, had been operating in the vicinity when the avalanche struck the mountain’s main west-facing gully at approximately 9:00 a.m. local time on Thursday, July 30.
GPS data from Purja’s tracking device indicated a rapid descent of over 2,000 feet within a 30-minute window on Thursday morning. While initial reports suggested the possibility of movement, experts note that stationary GPS trackers buried in deep snow or steep terrain can produce misleading signals. Mingma David, co-founder of Elite Exped, initially expressed cautious hope based on these data points, but the lack of direct communication from the ten-member team has deepened concerns.
Infrastructure and Risk in the Karakoram
The accident has reignited discussions regarding the safety protocols and logistical pressures of modern commercial expeditions. Broad Peak, the world’s 12th-highest mountain at 8,047 meters, is known for its volatile weather and susceptibility to avalanches. While conditions earlier in July were described as manageable, heavy snowfall starting around July 22 created high-risk conditions that led many other teams to abandon their summit attempts.
The current rescue mission is being severely hampered by adverse weather, which has restricted the use of army helicopters. Gilgit-Baltistan’s Chief Minister, Amjad Hussain, confirmed that search operations would continue as weather permits. The international community, including diplomatic representatives from China, has offered support to Pakistani authorities in the ongoing recovery efforts.