Two bodies found in search for ten climbers missing after avalanche on Broad Peak
Two bodies have been found in the search for ten climbers who went missing after an avalanche on Broad Peak in Pakistan. The search continues for the remaining climbers.
The Full Story
A plain summary built from the channels that reported this story.
All 10 climbers who went missing after an avalanche on Broad Peak in Pakistan have been confirmed dead, including the renowned mountaineer Nirmal Purja. The avalanche struck on Thursday as the group moved from Camp 2 towards the next camp on the world's 12th highest mountain, which rises to just over 8,000 metres on the border of Pakistan and China in the Karakoram range.
Purja, a former British special forces Gurkha and record-breaking climber, became famous in 2019 for climbing all 14 of the world's tallest peaks in just over six months. He was also the subject of a Netflix documentary. His brother said: "I feel as though I have lost my whole world. My brother was not only my younger brother. He was my heart."
The expedition company co-founded by Purja confirmed that all 10 climbers in his group had died. Nepal's prime minister also said all six Nepali climbers on the mountain had perished. Pakistan's authorities have so far confirmed the remains of three climbers: Najeera Ahmed Abdullah Al Ahathe from Oman, Purna Bahadur Gurung (known as Yukta) from Nepal, and Mallory Gies from the United States. Drone sightings have located four to five other bodies on the mountain, but they have not yet been identified.
A data tracker on Purja showed he was climbing at around 6,600 metres when the avalanche hit. Just over 30 minutes later, it recorded his last known location. When a helicopter reached that spot, rescuers did not find him. The search and rescue operation has been suspended due to poor weather and further avalanches at the site. A friend of Purja described Broad Peak as "a very difficult mountain" and "very, very avalanche prone".
Mirza Ali Beg, who arranged permits for two of the climbers, said they were excited and acclimatised. "I say good luck and safe climb. And then that was the last time in the morning I saw them. I was in disbelief that this happened." Some climbers were thrown 500 feet, some 1,000 feet, some 1,500 feet down the mountain. The likelihood of any survivors is described as "very slim". Those mourning Purja are left with memories of a man who never stopped striving for the summit.
On screen
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Key Claims
Claims reported during this story's coverage, mapped by channel. Ordered by how many channels carried each claim.
| Claim | BBC News | BBC One |
|---|---|---|
| All climbers in a group died on Broad Peak, with reports of ten total and six Nepali climbers. | · | |
| Bodies of climbers were found in the search for ten missing climbers, with reports differing on the number (two or three) and whether Nirmal Purja was among them. | · | |
| Drones have spotted four to five additional bodies that have not been identified. | · | |
| Nirmal Purja faced sexual abuse allegations which he denied. | · | |
| Nirmal Purja is among the missing climbers. | · | |
| The climbers were moving from Camp 2 to the next camp when the avalanche hit. | · | |
| The identified victims are from Oman, Nepal, and the US. | · | |
| The rescue effort was stopped by poor weather and will resume at sunrise. | · | |
| Three climbers have been found dead, and seven remain missing. | · | |
| Two bodies were found in the search for ten missing climbers. | · |
Channel Perspectives
What each channel focused on, with key quotes.
This segment initially reported two bodies found and focused on the search effort, including the use of drones and military helicopters. It highlighted Purja's fame and the personal connections of those on the ground. The tone was factual and sombre, with a strong emphasis on the danger of the mountain and the shock among Pakistan's mountaineering community.
- “Thundering force Terrifying even at a distance That's not going to reach us is it in the avalanches aftermath ten climbers missing drones and military helicopters deployed”
- “It's a very difficult mountain. It's very very avalanche prone You got some humongous some really big snow slopes and then there's vertical bits at the top as well”
- “I was in disbelief that this happened the same shock for many of Pakistan's mountaineers”
This segment updated the number of bodies found to three and named the identified victims. It repeated much of the same background on Purja and the avalanche, but added a specific list of the deceased. The tone remained factual and respectful, with a focus on the suspension of the rescue due to poor weather.
- “The remains of three climbers have been found, and another seven are still unaccounted for, after an avalanche on Pakistan's broad peak”
- “Neteira Ahmed Abdullah Al Ahathe from Oman, Purna Bahadur Gurung, known as Yukta, from Nepal, and Mallory Gies, from the US”
- “Tonight, the rescue effort stopped by poor weather starts again at sunrise, trying to retain hope in an unforgiving landscape”
This segment reported that all 10 climbers had died, confirmed by the expedition company and Nepal's prime minister. It included a detailed profile of Purja's career and controversies, and quoted a drone sighting of four to five additional bodies. The tone was more conclusive and reflective, with a focus on the finality of the tragedy and Purja's legacy.
- “Tributes have been paid to the renowned mountaineer and former British soldier Nirmal Purja, who has been killed in an avalanche in Pakistan”
- “In a statement, the expedition company he co-founded said all 10 climbers in his group had died on Broad Peak”
- “We have also spotted today four to five other bodies also, which we have not been able to identify”
Broadcast Timeline
News broadcasts tracked for this story, in time order.