Mortal remains of Nirmal Purja and four other climbers airlifted to Skardu

Islamabad, Aug 6 (IANS) Mortal remains of renowned mountaineer Nirmal Purja and four other climbers have been airlifted to Skardu after they were killed in an avalanche on Broad Peak mountain in Pakistan, local media reported on Thursday.

A 10-member international expedition led by 43-year-old Purja on Broad Peak, one of the world’s highest mountains, was cut off from contact when the avalanche struck on July 30,

“Following one of the most technically demanding recovery operations on Broad Peak, the Alpine Club of Pakistan confirms that the bodies of Nirmal Purja, Wang Zhong, Nima Sherpa, Gyalu Sherpa, and Killi Pemba ‘Kilu’ Sherpa have been transported to Skardu CMH Hospital by helicopter,” the Alpine Club of Pakistan (ACP) said in a statement, leading Pakistani daily Dawn reported.

“Following necessary procedures and documentation, they will be transferred to Islamabad,” it added, noting that they have been prepared for repatriation to their respective home countries.

Seven bodies have been recovered and airlifted to Skardu while the search operation continues for the eighth day, as Pakistani mountaineer Sohail Sakhi and American Sarah Mallory Geis remain missing, ACP Secretary General Ayaz Shigri told Dawn. Naila Kiani of ACP told Dawn that the body of Nawang Thindu Sherpa was spotted but could not be recovered due to its location in a high-altitude area.

The Nimsdai Foundation, a charity founded by Purja, has launched a global fundraising campaign to support the families of mountain guides who lost their lives in the Broad Peak avalanche.

The charity has launched the Broad Peak Guides’ Family Support Fund to provide financial assistance to the families of the mountain guides who were killed in the disaster.

Purja, a former British Gurkha soldier, rose to global prominence in 2019 after climbing all 14 of the world’s 8,000-metre peaks in just over six months under his “Project Possible,” shattering the previous record of nearly eight years.

By summiting Broad Peak, he had hoped to become the first person in history to climb all 14 eight-thousanders twice. The goal motivated him to attempt the mountain, but the expedition ended in tragedy when he and the other climbers were killed in the avalanche.

–IANS

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