KATHMANDU, JULY 31 Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Minister Khadak Raj Paudel on Friday said four bodies had been recovered from Pakistan's Broad Peak, where an avalanche struck an international climbing team, as helicopters and ground rescue teams continued searching for renowned Nepali mountaineer Nirmal Purja 'Nimsdai' and others still missing. Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Minister Khadak Raj Paudel said rescue teams, supported by helicopters, were continuing operations on the 8,047-metre peak in the Karakoram range. 'Four bodies have been recovered so far, though their nationalities have not yet been confirmed. Helicopters and other rescue teams are continuing search-and-rescue efforts. We remain hopeful for positive news and the safe return of everyone still missing,' the minister said in an update. Expedition sources earlier reported that the bodies of Nepali climber Pur Bahadur Gurung, known as 'Yukta', and Omani climber Nadhira Al Harthy had been recovered. Their recoveries are included in the total of four bodies reported by the minister, while the identities of the remaining two have yet to be officially confirmed. According to the latest information, those reported missing are Nirmal Purja, Pur Bahadur Gurung ('Yukta'), Kili Pemba Sherpa, Nima Sherpa, Nawang Thindu Sherpa and Gyalu Sherpa from Nepal; Sohail Sakhi from Pakistan; Mallory Geis from the United States; Nadhira Al Harthy from Oman; and Wang Zhong from China. The avalanche struck around midday on Thursday as the expedition team was climbing from Camp II to Camp III for a summit attempt. The Alpine Club of Pakistan (ACP) said contact with the climbers was lost immediately after the avalanche. The ACP said its president, Major General Irfan Arshad, and senior officials were coordinating with the Pakistani government and relevant agencies to deploy helicopters and all available rescue resources, subject to weather and operational conditions. Expedition officials said the missing climbers include three members from Seven Summit Treks, three from Elite Exped, two from Imagine Nepal Treks and two Pakistani high-altitude guides. Search operations remain underway amid difficult mountain conditions.