Asia’s high frontier: a mountain range spanning Pakistan, China and India
An avalanche has struck a 10-person expedition on Broad Peak in Pakistan’s Karakoram. Rescue teams have recovered and identified multiple bodies, including famed climber Nirmal Purja’s teammates; harsh weather and rugged terrain are hampering further search and recovery. Officials and mountaineering groups are coordinating helicopter and ground efforts while investigations continue.
Nirmal ‘Nimsdai’ Purja led a 10-person expedition on Broad Peak when an avalanche struck. Purja and several teammates have died; others are confirmed dead or missing. Recovery efforts continue amid harsh weather as authorities and Elite Exped confront the scale of the loss.
Geis’s remains have been located by local volunteers during a Broad Peak recovery effort. The expedition, led by Nirmal Purja, was the group’s first attempt on an 8,000-meter peak in Pakistan. The search began after an avalanche swept the expedition away from base camp on July 30. Authorities say the rescue is ongoing and expectations remain cautious.
An avalanche on Mount Mizhirgi in Russia’s North Caucasus hits a group of climbers. Ten have descended safely; several others remain unaccounted for as rescue efforts continue amid treacherous terrain and ongoing avalanche risk. Reports from multiple outlets confirm ongoing recoveries and casualties as agencies coordinate search operations.
A Systemiq-led study has found Himalayan glaciers are losing mass 65% faster than a decade ago and that just 21 of an estimated 40,000 glaciers are being monitored on the ground. The research has linked accelerated melt, expanding unstable glacial lakes and thawing permafrost to rising risks of floods, landslides and a mid-century peak-water decline that will affect agriculture, hydropower and millions downstream.