10 missing after avalanche hits Broad Peak expedition in Pakistan

The group, led by ‘14 Peaks’ star Nirmal Purja, is made up of climbers from Nepal, the US, China, Pakistan and Oman

The Alpine Club of Pakistan received initial reports that the avalanche struck the team led by Nirmal Purja and the climbers had been out of communication since then, club vice-president Karrar Haidri said in a statement late on Thursday.

The expedition included five Nepalese climbers, Pakistani mountaineer Sohail Sakhi of Hunza, Omani climber Nathira, American climber Mallory Geis, a Chinese climber identified as Wang, and another foreign climber, Haidri said.

The club’s president, Major General Irfan Arshad, and its senior leaders were in contact with government officials to facilitate an immediate search-and-rescue operation.

The club said every effort was being made to mobilise helicopters and other rescue resources quickly, subject to weather and operational conditions.