The body of Pakistani mountaineer Sohail Sakhi, who went missing after a deadly avalanche on Broad Peak, has been recovered following a weeks-long search operation, the Alpine Club of Pakistan (ACP) said on Thursday.
Sakhi was among 10 climbers swept away by an avalanche on July 30 during an international expedition on Broad Peak, one of the world’s highest mountains. The incident left rescuers facing difficult conditions as they searched the remote and dangerous terrain.
Sohail Sakhi’s body recovered
According to the Alpine Club of Pakistan, Sakhi’s remains were located and recovered by local volunteers from Shigar.
The volunteers — Muhammad Nadeem, Muhammad Bashir and Abu Zar — carried out the search on their own initiative and successfully recovered the climber’s body.
Following the recovery, Sakhi’s remains were brought down from Camp One to the mountain’s base camp.
The body is expected to be transported to Skardu by an Army Aviation helicopter, subject to suitable weather conditions. The difficult terrain and rapidly changing weather at high altitude can make aerial rescue and transportation operations particularly challenging.
The Alpine Club of Pakistan expressed its condolences to Sakhi’s family and members of the mountaineering community following the recovery.
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Avalanche swept away 10 climbers
The deadly avalanche struck Broad Peak on July 30, cutting off communication with a 10-member international expedition led by 43-year-old British-Nepali climber Purja.
The expedition was hit by severe conditions on the mountain, with the avalanche sweeping away the climbers. According to the expedition company, there were no survivors among those caught in the disaster.
The incident triggered a difficult search and recovery operation involving local volunteers and other personnel.
Broad Peak, located in Pakistan’s Gilgit-Baltistan region, rises to 8,051 metres and is one of the world’s 14 mountains higher than 8,000 metres. Its extreme altitude, steep terrain and unpredictable weather make climbing and rescue operations particularly hazardous.
Five More Climbers’ Bodies Airlifted to Skardu, Search Continues for Two Missing Mountaineers
Search continues for two missing climbers
With Sakhi’s remains now recovered, the bodies of two other mountaineers are still missing, according to the Alpine Club of Pakistan.
Rescue and search efforts are continuing to locate the remaining climbers, although operations remain dependent on weather and conditions on the mountain.
Earlier, on August 6, the bodies of five mountaineers recovered during the operation were transported to Skardu.
The recovery of Sakhi’s body brings some closure to his family after weeks of uncertainty, while search teams continue efforts to locate the remaining missing climbers.
