A sudden and devastating tragedy has struck the high-altitude mountaineering community. On Thursday, July 30, 2026, an avalanche swept down the slopes of Pakistan’s Broad Peak (8,047m) between Camp 2 and Camp 3, taking the lives of a 10-person expedition team.

Led by world-renowned mountaineer Nirmal “Nimsdai” Purja, the team was making a summit push when the slide occurred at approximately 6,600 meters. On August 1, Elite Exped and local authorities officially confirmed that there were no survivors.

Below is the complete list of climbers lost, alongside a key timeline of the disaster, rescue operations, and final confirmations.

Timeline of the Tragedy

Avalanche Strikes Between Camp 2 & Camp 3

July 30, ~9:00 AM PKT

A massive slab avalanche hits the west-facing gully at ~6,600 meters. The 10-person climbing team is swept hundreds of meters downhill, instantly severing communication with Base Camp.

Alarm Raised at Base Camp

July 30, 9:00 PM PKT

Because the entire climbing team was swept away together, Base Camp personnel only realize the extent of the disaster hours later when scheduled check-ins fail. Emergency distress signals are dispatched to Pakistani authorities and Elite Exped headquarters.

Joint Rescue Operation Begins

July 31, First Light

Pakistan Air Force helicopters, Pakistan Army personnel, and high-altitude ground teams led by Sirbaz Khan and Mingma Gyalje Sherpa launch search efforts. High-altitude drones identify initial signs of the disaster zone near Concordia.

Initial Recoveries & False Hope

July 31, Afternoon

Ground and aerial teams recover four bodies. Meanwhile, Nirmal Purja’s satellite tracker briefly transmits delayed location signals, temporarily raising hopes of survivors before experts clarify that buried GPS units can output ghost coordinates.

Official Confirmation of Loss

August 1, Morning

Elite Exped and the Alpine Club of Pakistan officially issue a statement confirming that all 10 members of the expedition lost their lives. Tributes begin pouring in from across the global climbing community.

The List of Climbers Lost on Broad Peak

Name	Nationality	Profile / Role
Nirmal “Nimsdai” Purja	Nepal / UK	Expedition leader, world-record climber (14x8000m in 6 months and 6 days), and former British Special Forces commando.
Pur Bahadur Gurung (“Yukta”)	Nepal	Senior guide and veteran high-altitude climber with Elite Exped.
Nima Sherpa	Nepal	Experienced high-altitude guide.
Gyalu Sherpa	Nepal	Trusted high-altitude support guide.
Nawang Thindu Sherpa	Nepal	Skilled Sherpa guide key to route fixing and logistics.
Kili “Kilu” Pemba Sherpa	Nepal	Elite guide and key member of the historic 2021 winter K2 summit team.
Sohail Sakhi	Pakistan	Mountain photographer, geographer, and guide.
Mallory Geis	USA	Dedicated climber scaling her first 8,000-meter peak in Pakistan.
Nadhira Al Harthy	Oman	First Omani woman to summit Mt. Everest (2019).
Wang Zhong	China	Experienced high-altitude mountaineer.

Honoring Their Memory

The loss of these 10 individuals leaves an unimaginable void in world mountaineering. They brought unparalleled expertise, courage, and dedication to the extreme peaks of the Karakoram. May their strength and passion for the mountains continue to inspire generations to come.