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All 10 climbers swept away in avalanche in Pakistan are confirmed dead
PBS • • general
Key Points:
- Renowned British-Nepali climber Nirmal Purja and nine other climbers were confirmed dead after being swept away by an avalanche on Pakistan's Broad Peak, with search teams working to recover their bodies.
- Four bodies were found and three recovered despite harsh weather conditions that hindered rescue helicopter flights; the search resumed with military support.
- The expedition, led by Purja—famous for climbing the world's 14 highest peaks in a record time—was composed of climbers from different nations united by their passion for mountaineering.
- Pakistani officials and mountaineering leaders mourned the loss, highlighting the dangers of high-altitude climbing in the Himalaya and Karakoram regions and paying tribute to rescuers involved in the mission.
- The incident underscores the risks associated with climbing in northern Pakistan, where avalanches, falling ice, and rapidly changing weather frequently cause accidents.
