The body of Pakistani mountaineer Sohail Sakhi, who went missing after an avalanche struck Broad Peak, has been recovered.
According to the Alpine Club of Pakistan, local volunteers from the Tasir area of Shigar searched for Sakhi’s body on their own initiative.
The volunteers involved in the search included Muhammad Nadeem, Muhammad Bashir and Abuzar. Sakhi’s body has been moved from Camp One to Base Camp. The volunteers, along with Zaman and other team members, transported the body to Base Camp.
The Alpine Club said that if weather conditions permit, Sakhi’s body will be flown by helicopter to Skardu today.
The club also expressed condolences to Sakhi’s family and the wider mountaineering community.
Earlier, around 15 days ago, an avalanche on Broad Peak left 10 mountaineers missing. The Alpine Club of Pakistan (ACP) said it lost contact with the 10-member team shortly after the avalanche and is working with government authorities and rescue agencies to launch an emergency search-and-rescue operation as soon as weather conditions permit.
According to the ACP, the missing team includes six Nepalese mountaineers Purja, Pur Bahadur Gurung, Kili Pemba Sherpa, Nima Sherpa, Nawang Thindu Sherpa and Gyalu Sherpa Sakhi from Pakistan, Nadhira Ahmed Abdullah Al Harthy from Oman, Wang Zhong from China, and American climber Mallory Geis.
ACP Vice President Karrar Haidri said the club is closely monitoring the situation. GPS data reportedly indicates the climbers were swept nearly one kilometre down the mountain and are believed to be trapped beneath the avalanche.
“The club prays for the safety and successful rescue of all the climbers and stands in solidarity with their families and the international mountaineering community during this difficult time,” the ACP said in a statement.