Rescue operation for missing Broad Peak climbers enters second day

SHIGAR: A rescue operation to locate climbers missing since an avalanche struck Broad Peak continued into its second day on Saturday, with international mountaineers, including Pakistan’s Sarbaz Khan and Shehzad, joining the search effort.

Rescue teams are using drones to search for the missing climbers in the area.

The bodies of three climbers were recovered on Friday and shifted to Skardu. Those recovered include an Omani climber, an American woman, and a Nepali climber. Five Nepali climbers, one Pakistani and one Chinese climber remain missing. Among them are record-holding Nepali climber Nima Sherpa and Pakistani climber Sohail Sakhi.

The climbers went missing after an avalanche struck Broad Peak on July 30.

Last night Deputy Commissioner Shigar Sher Afzal, briefing the media on the search and rescue operation, said the operation was continuing following the avalanche on Broad Peak, with the Pakistan Army, district administration and local expert mountaineers all cooperating in the effort.

He said a civilian rescue team led by Sarbaz Khan had recovered the bodies of three deceased climbers, belonging to Oman, the United States and Nepal, and that the bodies had been transported to CMH Skardu via Pakistan Army aviation.

“The search and rescue operation has been temporarily suspended for the day due to poor light, and will resume once visibility improves,” he said. “Drone footage has identified the presence of a few more climbers in the area.”

“The district administration remains in constant contact with all relevant institutions,” he added, extending heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased climbers. “The Gilgit-Baltistan government will extend every possible support, including the repatriation of the bodies to their respective countries.”