Bodies of Nimsdai and three fellow climbers brought to Broad Peak base camp
Alpine Club of Pakistan says recovery teams completed one of the most technically demanding operations on the mountain as search continues for three missing climbers
The bodies of record-breaking Nepali mountaineer Nirmal Purja ‘Nimsdai’ and three fellow climbers have been brought to Broad Peak base camp following what the Alpine Club of Pakistan described as an "exceptionally challenging and technically demanding" recovery operation.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, Irfan Arshad Khan, president of the Alpine Club of Pakistan (ACP), confirmed that the bodies of Nimsdai, Chinese climber Wang Zhong and Nepali guides Nima Sherpa and Kili Pemba Sherpa 'Kilu', had been successfully recovered from the mountain and transported safely to base camp.
The four were among the climbers killed when an avalanche struck the 8,047-metre peak in Pakistan's Karakoram last week.
The Alpine Club paid tribute to the ground recovery team led by Mingma Gyalje Sherpa, known as Mingma G, saying their courage, professionalism and selfless commitment had made the operation possible under extremely difficult conditions.
It also acknowledged the contributions of Pakistani mountaineer Sirbaz Khan, Abid Baig, Sherbaz, Dipen Gurung and Pemba Chhewang Sherpa, who took part in the hazardous recovery.
The club thanked the Pakistan Army, the governments of Pakistan and Gilgit-Baltistan, local authorities and supporting agencies, as well as the British High Commission and the Embassy of Nepal, for their cooperation throughout the operation.
Three climbers remain missing, however.
"We remain committed to supporting all possible efforts to locate and recover them, whenever conditions allow, so that they too may be returned home to their loved ones," the statement said.
The recovered climbers will now begin their final journey home to their families.
The Alpine Club extended its deepest condolences to the bereaved families, friends and the global mountaineering community.
