Skardu (Special Report): An international mountaineering expedition was struck by an avalanche on Broad Peak (8,047 meters), the world’s 12th-highest mountain, resulting in the deaths of three foreign climbers from Oman, the United States, and Nepal, while several others remain missing. A rescue operation involving Pakistan Army Aviation helicopters and local mountaineers is underway, but the search mission has been temporarily suspended due to severe weather conditions.

According to details, the 10-member international climbing team, organized jointly by Karakoram Expeditions, Imagine Climb Pakistan, and Blue Sky Trek & Tours, arrived in Shigar District on June 29. On July 30, the team was ascending from Camp 2 to Camp 3 on Broad Peak. Their last communication with the tour operator was at 9:00 a.m., after which contact was lost. Later, at around 8:00 p.m., an avalanche struck the team at an altitude of approximately 6,600 meters.

Following a formal request from the tour operators, Pakistan Army Aviation helicopters airlifted a three-member civilian rescue team, led by renowned Pakistani mountaineer Sarbaz Khan, to the Broad Peak Base Camp on the morning of July 31. While making their way from the base camp toward Camp 2, rescuers recovered the bodies of Nadheera Ahmed Abdullah Al Harthi of Oman, Sarah Mallory of the United States, and Pur Bahadur Gurung of Nepal.

The recovered bodies were transported by helicopter to a military hospital, where legal formalities and identification procedures are being completed.

Rescue officials said that drone footage has revealed what appear to be the bodies of several more climbers. However, heavy snowfall, harsh weather, and extremely difficult terrain have so far prevented their immediate recovery.

According to the Baltistan Commissioner’s Office, search and rescue operations will resume as soon as weather conditions improve, with additional rescue teams and Sherpa climbers joining the mission.

The Gilgit-Baltistan government expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy, extended condolences to the families of the deceased climbers, and assured that every possible assistance would be provided to facilitate the repatriation of the victims’ remains to their home countries.