An avalanche hit an international climbing expedition of 10 people on Broad Peak in Pakistan’s Karakoram range around midday on July 30, 2026, cutting off communication with the team [1, 2, 3]. The team included five Nepalese climbers, an American, a Chinese, an Omani, a Pakistani, and another foreign climber, with some conflicting reports citing two British nationals instead of an American [1, 2, 4, 5].

The avalanche occurred between camps two and three on Broad Peak’s west ridge at about 6,579 metres [1, 3, 6]. Broad Peak is the world’s 12th highest mountain at 8,047 metres (26,400 feet) located in northern Pakistan’s Karakoram mountains [1, 2, 6].

Pakistani rescue teams recovered four bodies by August 1, including Nadhira Al Harthy from Oman, Pur Bahadur Gurung from Nepal, Sarah Mallory Geis from the U.S., and a fourth unidentified climber [7, 6, 5]. Despite intense efforts, Nirmal Purja, the Nepali-born expedition leader and famed climber who scaled all 14 of the world’s highest peaks in a record 6 months and 6 days, has not been found and is feared dead [1, 8, 7, 9]. Purja said before the climb, "Broad Peak, I ask for nothing but safe passage up and back down... Always has been. Always will be." [2]

The Alpine Club of Pakistan has led rescue operations with helicopters and ground teams, though efforts have been hampered by harsh weather and difficult terrain [1, 3, 5]. "We are coordinating with the authorities and trying to arrange a helicopter rescue on Friday morning Pakistani time depending on weather condition," said Karrar Haidri, vice-president of the Alpine Club [1]. Using GPS data, the team identified locations of four climbers [5].

There remains a discrepancy over the number missing after the four bodies were found; some reports say six remain missing while others say seven [4, 5, 10]. The search continued after a weather delay on August 1 [10]. Nepal’s Prime Minister Balendra Shah praised Purja’s courage and dedication following the accident [8].

Rescue teams remain active on Broad Peak as of August 6, with efforts focused on locating the remaining climbers missing since the July 30 avalanche.