Famed Climber Nirmal Purja Among Four Found After Avalanche in Pakistan
WHO:
AP News - Alpine Club of Pakistan President Irfan Arshad Khan described the tragedy as “an immeasurable loss to the global mountaineering fraternity.”
AP News - A statement from Geis’ family said, “Mallory was a bright light who was loved deeply by her family and friends. She will be profoundly missed.”
ABC News World - The remains of renowned climber Nirmal Purja and three others have been found.
AP News - The Alpine Club of Pakistan identified the recovered climbers as Nirmal Purja, Wang Zhong, Nima Sherpa, and Kili Pemba Sherpa.
AP News - The expedition was led by Nirmal Purja, a Nepal-born former British Army soldier known as Nims Dai.
AP News - The expedition included a 10-member international team.
WHAT:
AP News - Rescuers located four other bodies but were able to recover only three due to harsh weather conditions that grounded search-and-rescue helicopters.
ABC News World - The remains of the climbers were found after an avalanche swept away their expedition.
AP News - Rescuers located four bodies, recovering three: Omani Nathira Ahmed, American Mallory Geis, and Nepalese Bahadur Gurung.
AP News - Military-backed rescue teams resumed the search for two remaining climbers.
AP News - The expedition company stated that the world lost one of mountaineering’s greats, referring to Purja.
WHERE:
ABC News World - The remains were found on Broad Peak, one of the world’s highest mountains.
AP News - The search and recovery efforts took place in Pakistan.
WHEN:
AP News - The recovery of the bodies occurred on a Sunday, following the avalanche incident.
AP News - The expedition was expected to be the last for Pakistani guide Sohail Sakhi.
WHY:
AP News - Accidents are common on climbing expeditions in northern Pakistan due to avalanches, falling ice and rock, extreme altitude, and rapidly changing weather.
HOW:
AP News - Military-backed rescue teams resumed the search for the two remaining climbers on Sunday.
AP News - Ground teams were involved in the recovery of the climbers' remains, while military and civilian rescuers participated in the search mission.
(UPDATED August 2, 2026 23:50 UTC)
The Alpine Club of Pakistan President Irfan Arshad Khan has called the recent tragedy an “immeasurable loss to the global mountaineering fraternity,” as rescuers have located four bodies but could only recover three due to harsh weather conditions that grounded search-and-rescue helicopters. A statement from the family of one of the climbers, Mallory Geis, expressed that she was “a bright light who was loved deeply” and will be profoundly missed. Military-backed rescue teams resumed their search for the two remaining climbers on Sunday.
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(UPDATED August 2, 2026 17:55 UTC)
The remains of renowned climber Nirmal Purja and three others have been found on Broad Peak in Pakistan, following an avalanche that swept away their expedition. The Alpine Club of Pakistan identified the recovered climbers as Nirmal Purja, Wang Zhong, Nima Sherpa, and Kili Pemba Sherpa, while military-backed rescue teams continue to search for two remaining climbers. The expedition, which included a ten-member international team, was expected to be the last for Pakistani guide Sohail Sakhi, highlighting the dangers of climbing in northern Pakistan where accidents are common due to avalanches and rapidly changing weather.