Skardu, July 31 (V7N)- At least 10 climbers, including renowned Nepali mountaineer Nirmal Purja, have gone missing after a massive avalanche struck Broad Peak, the world's 12th-highest mountain, in Pakistan's Karakoram mountain range.
The avalanche hit at an altitude of approximately 6,600 meters between Camp 2 and Camp 3 around noon local time on Thursday (July 30). Since then, all communication with the 10-member expedition team and the base camp has been lost.
According to the Alpine Club of Pakistan (ACP), the missing team includes Nirmal Purja, five Sherpa guides from Nepal, and climbers from the United States, China, Oman, and Pakistan.
Adverse weather prevented air rescue operations on Thursday. However, a Pakistan Air Force helicopter carrying a specialized rescue team departed from Skardu on Friday morning to join the search. A ground rescue team has also been deployed from the base camp.
Meanwhile, The Kathmandu Post reported that GPS signals from Nirmal Purja's tracking device indicated a slight movement from the avalanche site. Although this does not confirm whether he is alive, officials say it offers a small hope that he may still be rescued.
END/SMA/AJ
