Body of Pakistani Climber Recovered From Broad Peak
Yesterday, local volunteers recovered the body of Sohail Sakhi from Broad Peak, two weeks after an avalanche killed 10 climbers on the mountain.
The recovery of Pakistani climber Sohail Sakhi’s body from Broad Peak on August 13, 2026, marks a somber conclusion to a two-week effort following a devastating avalanche that killed 10 climbers on the mountain. The incident, which occurred two weeks prior to the recovery, underscores the extreme risks faced by climbers in the region’s unpredictable weather and terrain. Local volunteers, who led the retrieval mission, navigated challenging conditions to locate Sakhi’s remains, highlighting both the resilience of community response and the complexities of high-altitude rescue operations. The tragedy has renewed focus on safety protocols and the vulnerabilities of expeditions in remote Himalayan regions.
Yesterday, a team of local volunteers retrieved the body of Pakistani climber Sohail Sakhi from the slopes of Broad Peak, two weeks after an avalanche engulfed the mountain and claimed the lives of 10 climbers, including Sakhi. The recovery, confirmed by officials and the Alpine Club of Pakistan, marked the eighth body recovered from the site of one of Pakistan’s deadliest mountaineering disasters in recent years (AP India, The Hindu).
The avalanche struck on July 30, when a 10-member international expedition led by renowned climber Nirmal Purja lost contact with base camp during a push to summit Broad Peak, the world’s 12th-highest mountain at 8,051 meters (26,414 feet). Authorities later confirmed all 10 climbers—representing Nepal, Oman, Pakistan, China, Britain, and the United States—had perished in the disaster. Sakhi’s body, like those of seven others, was located through a combination of high-altitude search efforts and local knowledge, with volunteers from the region playing a pivotal role in navigating the treacherous terrain (The Hindu).
The retrieval operation unfolded amid challenging conditions. Volunteers initially spotted Sakhi’s remains and alerted broader rescue teams, who then assisted in transporting the body to base camp. Helicopter evacuation to a regional airbase was pending favorable weather, according to the Alpine Club of Pakistan (AP India). The recovery came two days after a candlelight vigil in Islamabad honored the deceased, drawing mountaineers, diplomats, and civil society members (The Hindu).
Broad Peak, situated in the Karakoram range near K2, the world’s second-highest peak, is renowned for its extreme and unpredictable weather. The region’s allure to climbers is matched by its dangers: avalanches, rockfalls, and sudden storms have made northern Pakistan a site of frequent mountaineering tragedies. This incident has reignited discussions about safety protocols, particularly for commercial expeditions that often rely on local guides and infrastructure (The Hindu).
Despite the progress in recoveries, two climbers remain unaccounted for. Search efforts continue, though harsh weather and the remote location of the accident site complicate further operations. The Alpine Club of Pakistan has not specified a timeline for concluding the recovery mission (AP India).
AP India·The Hindu