Story perspectives

Pakistan Airlifts Climbers, Recovers Three Bodies After Broad Peak Avalanche

8/9/2026

Summary

Story summary

Pakistan’s Alpine Club and army airlifted five climbers, including Nirmal Purja, to Skardu after the July 30 avalanche on Broad Peak, an 8,051-metre mountain that killed all ten expedition members.
Lifts recovered bodies of an American woman, an Omani woman and a Nepali climber, while Sohail Sakhi and Mallory Geis remain missing.
Purja’s family asked his remains be sent to the United Kingdom while Nepali guide Nawang Thandu Sherpa’s body stays in a high-altitude zone.

History

Historical Context

A recent Broad Peak avalanche revived memories of the May 10-11 1996 Mount Everest disaster, when eight climbers died in a sudden blizzard. Led by Rob Hall of Adventure Consultants and Scott Fischer of Mountain Madness, the ill-fated expeditions highlighted the risks of commercial high-altitude climbs and spurred calls for stricter safety measures.

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Story summary

Pakistan’s Alpine Club and army airlifted five climbers, including Nirmal Purja, to Skardu after the July 30 avalanche on Broad Peak, an 8,051-metre mountain that killed all ten expedition members.
Lifts recovered bodies of an American woman, an Omani woman and a Nepali climber, while Sohail Sakhi and Mallory Geis remain missing.
Purja’s family asked his remains be sent to the United Kingdom while Nepali guide Nawang Thandu Sherpa’s body stays in a high-altitude zone.

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