Royal Marine among 10 climbers feared missing after avalanche in Pakistan
BBC • • world
Key Points:
- A ten-member international mountaineering team led by Nepal-born former Royal Marine Nirmal Purja is feared missing after an avalanche struck Pakistan's Broad Peak, an 8,047-meter peak in the Karakoram range.
- The avalanche occurred around midday on Thursday, and there has been no communication with the team since the incident.
- The group includes climbers from the US, China, Oman, and five Nepalis, with Purja known for climbing all 14 of the world's 8,000-meter peaks in just over six months in 2019.
- The Alpine Club of Pakistan is coordinating with government authorities to launch a search and rescue operation, mobilizing helicopter support and all available resources.
- Broad Peak is considered one of the more challenging mountains and ranks as the world's 12th highest peak; the mountaineering community remains hopeful for the team's safe rescue.
