Nepali climber Sanu Sherpa and Pakistani mountaineer Wakar Ali were at the K2 base camp on July 30. On the same day, 10 mountaineers, including Nepali climber Nirmal Purja, ascended from Camp 1 towards Broad Peak, the world’s 12th highest summit. Among these 10 climbers was Sohel Sakhi from Hunza. Around 9 a.m., Wakar Ali contacted Sohel Sakhi to check on his health, and shortly thereafter, at 10 a.m., Wakar learned that a massive avalanche had struck Broad Peak.
Immediately after receiving this information, Wakar Ali attempted to reach the climbers on Broad Peak through various means but was unsuccessful. He then informed the climbers’ tour operators about the accident. Early the next morning, he decided to head to Broad Peak himself with Sanu Sherpa to participate in the rescue efforts. Tragically, the avalanche on July 30 at Broad Peak resulted in the deaths of all 10 climbers involved, including the renowned Nepali mountaineer Nirmal Purja.
Search and rescue operations began the following day and continued for several days. After a strenuous campaign and improved weather conditions, the bodies and remains of seven climbers found around Broad Peak were first transported to Skardu and then to Islamabad, from where they were sent to their respective countries. According to Wakar Ali, no separate base camp was established on Broad Peak during this season; instead, climbers used the base camp set up at K2.
Wakar Ali described the scene upon reaching Broad Peak as profoundly distressing. He estimated that the avalanche likely occurred at an altitude of 6,600 meters on Broad Peak, stating, “Alongside my companions, I saw blood on the glacier.” Mountaineers involved in the search operation utilized drone technology to help identify the bodies. Climbers positioned at around 6,000 meters continued to participate in the ongoing recovery efforts.
