It is now heartbreakingly clear that all ten climbers caught in the Broad Peak avalanche on July 30 are no longer with us. The final official declaration will come only after all recovered remains have been identified and formally handed over by the concerned authorities
The focus has now shifted from search to recovery — bringing every climber home with the dignity and respect they deserve.
According to the information from the ground teams, the recovery operation is continuing under extremely difficult conditions. The plan is to bring the recovered climbers from the current location to Camp I, and then, if conditions allow, to Japanese Camp. From there, helicopter evacuation will be attempted, subject to weather and mountain conditions.
According to the latest Search & Recovery Update from Broad Peak (8,047m) by Alpine Club of Pakistan , an eight-member ground recovery team from Pakistan and Nepal reached Camp I before 9:00 a.m. The team is now carrying out the recovery mission.
The Alpine Club of Pakistan has also confirmed that the climber recovered late yesterday has been correctly identified as Gyalu Sherpa. A 10-member recovery team of experienced Pakistani and Nepali climbers, led by Sirbaz Khan and Sherzad, is carrying out the mission. Their task is to recover the remaining mortal remains from the slopes of Broad Peak whenever weather and terrain permit.
It is about bringing our friends home as per thier family wish.
We extend our deepest gratitude to everyone risking their own safety in this recovery effort, including the rescue teams, the Governments of Nepal and Pakistan, the Embassy of Nepal in Pakistan, the Embassy of Pakistan in Nepal, the Pakistan Army, the Alpine Club of Pakistan, and every individual working tirelessly behind the scenes. We continue to pray for the safety of every member of the recovery team.
A Note to the Family of Sohail Sakhi
We would also like to offer a sincere apology to the family of Sohail Sakhi.
In yesterday’s editorial, we included Sohail’s photograph after receiving confirmation from members of the rescue and recovery team that all ten climbers had tragically been lost. Only afterward did we become aware of the family’s request that his photograph not be shared publicly until his body had been recovered.
We deeply respect that wish.
It was never our intention to cause additional pain during an already unimaginable time. Our decision was made based on the information available to us at that moment, but we recognize and respect the family’s wishes. We sincerely apologize for any distress our publication may have caused.
Our thoughts remain with Sohail’s loved ones and with the families of every climber lost on Broad Peak.
May each of them be brought home with dignity.
