Friday 31 / July / 2026
Pakistan: An Omani citizen is among ten climbers reported missing following a devastating avalanche that struck an international expedition on Broad Peak in northern Pakistan's Karakoram mountain range, according to the Alpine Club of Pakistan (ACP).
The expedition was led by renowned Nepali mountaineer Nirmal Purja, a former British Royal Marines commando known for completing the first winter ascent of K2 and climbing all fourteen "eight-thousanders" in record time. The ten-person team—comprising five Nepalis, a Pakistani, an Omani, an American, a Chinese climber, and another foreign national—lost all communication after the avalanche swept through their route on the 8,047-meter mountain.
Prior to setting out, Purja had posted on social media that the expedition was aimed at making him the first person to climb all fourteen 8,000-meter peaks twice without supplemental oxygen, expressing deep respect for the treacherous nature of Broad Peak.
Known as the world's 12th-highest mountain, Broad Peak is recognized as one of the most technical and challenging high-altitude climbs globally. Two Pakistan Army helicopters equipped with specialized personnel and rescue gear have been deployed to the site to assist ground teams in high-altitude search and recovery operations.
