espite harsh weather, rescuers continue efforts to trace and retrieve the bodies of the missing climbers on Broad Peak.

Nine foreign climbers and one Pakistani mountaineer lost their lives after an avalanche struck them while they were close to the summit of Broad Peak in the Karakoram mountain range. So far, seven bodies have been traced and retrieved, including that of legendary British-Nepali climber Purja, 43.

The expedition comprised six Nepalese mountaineers led by renowned climber Nims Dai, Pakistani climber Suhail Shahzad Sakhi from Hunza, Omani mountaineer Nadhira Ahmed, American climber Mallory Geis and Chinese climber Wang.

The team entered Skardu district in July to attempt Broad Peak in Shigar district of Gilgit-Baltistan. According to the incident report, the tour operator made the last contact with the team on July 30.

Broad Peak is the world’s 12th-highest mountain, standing at 8,047 metres (26,414 feet) in the Karakoram mountain range on the border of Pakistan and China. It was originally named K3 because it was the third peak measured in the region.

The rescue mission started on July 31. Pakistan Army Aviation helicopters were deployed, and a three-member civilian rescue team led by Sirbaz Khan was dispatched to Broad Peak Base Camp.

Broad Peak is the world’s 12th-highest mountain, standing at 8,047 metres (26,414 feet) in the Karakoram mountain range on the border of Pakistan and China. It was originally named K3 during early mapping because it was the third peak measured in the region.

Seven bodies/ remains had been retrieved, including that of Nims Dai, by the time this report went into press. Efforts to recover the remaining three continued.

The bodies of Pakistani mountaineer Suhail Sakhi of Hunza and two Nepali nationals have not been traced so far. Funeral prayers in absentia were offered for Sakhi in his hometown of Aliabad, Hunza, on Monday. Hundreds of people paid tribute to the young mountaineer and offered condolences to his family.

“The rescue/ recovery operation has been undertaken by the Pakistan Army in coordination with local high-altitude climbers and rescuers,” Naiknam Karim, tourism minister for the newly established Government of Gilgit-Baltistan, told The News on Sunday. The minister extended heartfelt condolences to the friends and families of the climbers. He said the government was committed to extending full support to the search and rescue mission, alongside the Pakistan Army and to transporting the bodies to their homelands.

The global mountaineering community remains in mourning. The highly decorated British-Nepali climber Nirmal Purja (Nims Dai), who was leading the ill-fated group, was a climbing legend and a former British Army soldier. He is best known for climbing all 14 of the world 8,000m (26,246ft) peaks in just over six months (189 days) in 2019. In 2022, He was honoured by Queen Elizabeth II for his services to mountaineering. His body was transported to Broad Peak Base Camp last Wednesday, almost a week after the incident. Rescuers worked tirelessly in harsh weather to trace and retrieve the bodies, as videos of the search operation circulating on social media highlighted.

King Charles III and his son, Prince William, have expressed grief and paid rich tribute to Purja’s life and achievements, acknowledging his distinguished service in the British Army before he became one of the world’s iconic high-altitude climbers.

“I was truly saddened to hear of the tragic death of Nirmal Purja and those who lost their lives in the avalanche on Broad Peak. Nims served with distinction in the British Armed Forces before becoming one of the world’s greatest mountaineers, putting Nepalese climbers on the map. His relentless pursuit of what seemed impossible, combined with his humility and selflessness, made him truly unique. My thoughts are with his family and the families of all those who died,” Prince William said in his message.

The loss of these brave climbers, who came from various nations united by their passion for the mountains, has saddened the global mountaineering fraternity. Hundreds of Nepalis held a candlelight vigil in Kathmandu last week to honour the 10 climbers.

Irfan Arshad Khan, president of the Alpine Club of Pakistan, which has also been actively engaged in the search and rescue efforts, said in his condolence message that the heartbreaking tragedy had deeply saddened the entire mountaineering community of Pakistan and around the world.

“The mountains inspire us with their beauty. They also remind us of the immense risks faced by those who venture into the high Himalaya and Karakoram. The legacy of these mountaineers will continue to inspire future generations with their courage, determination and love for the mountains,” Khan said.

Khan paid tribute to Pakistan Army Aviation and other elements of the Pakistan Army, Government of Gilgit-Baltistan departments, the Nepali government, high-altitude rescuers, Sherpas, local climbers and all those who participated in the search and recovery operation under extremely difficult weather and terrain. “Their courage, commitment, and selfless efforts reflect the true spirit of humanity and mountaineering,” he said.

The author is a staff reporter. He can be reached at [email protected]. He tweets at @waqargillani