On Thursday, a catastrophic avalanche struck Broad Peak, the second‑tallest mountain outside the Himalayas, leaving three climbers dead and seven others missing.
The victims include Nadhira Ahmed Abdullah Al Harthy from Oman, Pur Bahadur Gurun from Nepal and Mallory Geis from the United States.
Rescue crews, comprising local guides, Pakistani military medics and international volunteers, are combing the steep slopes at extreme altitude. Rough terrain and inclement weather continue to impede search operations.
Broad Peak rises 8,611 metres (28,200 ft) above sea level and has been the site of previous disasters, most notably the 2016 avalanche that killed eight climbers.
BBC journalist Caroline Davies reports that the missing group had reached the base camp before their summit push but were caught by the sudden slide, preventing them from proceeding further.
Rescuers continue their efforts into the night, while authorities advise remaining climbers to abandon summit attempts as the valley remains treacherous and avalanche‑risk high.
The mountaineering community calls for strengthened safety protocols and better assessment of avalanche risk across the Karakoram Range, where Alaska‑style climbs are becoming increasingly dangerous.
