Famed Nepali climber among 10 missing after Pakistan avalanche

Renowned Nepali mountaineer Nirmal Purja is among 10 missing after an avalanche in northern Pakistan where they were on a climbing expedition, the country's alpine club said.

"The Alpine Club of Pakistan (ACP) has received deeply concerning reports of an avalanche that struck a team of climbers on Broad Peak (8,047m) in the Karakoram mountain range," the club said late on Thursday, adding the team was led by Purja and could not be reached since the incident.

The club said the expedition comprises 10 people – including five Nepalese, a Pakistani, an Omani, an American, a climber from China, and one other foreigner.

"The entire team has reportedly been out of communication since the avalanche," the club said.

It added: "Every possible effort is being made to ensure that helicopter support and all available rescue resources are mobilised at the earliest opportunity, subject to weather and operational conditions."

Purja, 43, who served with Britain's Brigade of Gurkhas before joining the Special Boat Squadron of the Royal Marines, has broken multiple climbing records since becoming a full-time mountaineer and tour guide.

He climbed all 14 "eight-thousanders" (peaks above 8,000 metres or 26,000 feet) in six months and six days between April and October 2019 – then a record.

In 2021, along with a team of nine other Nepalese climbers, Purja completed the first winter ascent of K2.

(FRANCE 24 with AFP)