KATHMANDU, JULY 31
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) on Friday said it is closely monitoring the situation following the avalanche on Pakistan's 8,047-metre Broad Peak and is coordinating with Pakistani authorities to support ongoing search and rescue efforts.
In a press release, the ministry said the Embassy of Nepal in Islamabad is in constant contact with the Government of Pakistan and the Alpine Club of Pakistan (ACP) to facilitate the swift and safe rescue of all affected mountaineers.
According to information received by the embassy, the 10-member expedition led by renowned Nepali climber Nirmal Purja "Nims Dai" includes six Nepalis-Pur Bahadur Gurung "Yukta", Kili Pemba Sherpa "Kilu", Nima Sherpa, Nawang Thindu Sherpa, Gyalu Sherpa and Purja himself-as well as Nadhira Ahmed Abdullah Al Harthy of Oman, Sohail Sakhi of Pakistan, Wang Zhong of China and Mallory Geis of the United States.
The ministry said Pakistani authorities have informed Nepal that search and rescue operations are under way and have assured that all available resources will be mobilised to locate and rescue the missing climbers as quickly as possible.
The avalanche struck the international expedition during a summit push on Broad Peak on Thursday, leaving all 10 climbers unaccounted for. Rescue operations involving helicopters and ground teams are continuing, subject to weather and operational conditions.