Lead

A search and rescue operation resumed on Saturday morning to locate seven climbers who went missing after an avalanche struck Pakistan's Broad Peak earlier this week, according to reporting by Dawn and the BBC. The operation had been suspended late Friday due to adverse weather conditions in the region.

The seven missing climbers are part of a group of 10 who were in the area when the avalanche occurred on Thursday. The remains of three climbers — Oman's Nadhira Ahmed Abdullah Al Harthy, Nepal's Pur Bahadur Gurung and American Mallory Geis — have been found and airlifted to Skardu.

Coverage comparison

Reporting on the incident has been consistent on the core facts: the avalanche struck on Thursday, seven climbers remain missing, and three bodies have been recovered. Both Dawn and the BBC report that the rescue operation continues, but Dawn provides additional detail on the sequence of events, including the suspension of the operation late Friday and its resumption Saturday morning.

Dawn reports that three bodies were airlifted from Broad Peak to Skardu by Pakistan Army helicopters. The BBC's reporting also confirms the recovery of the three bodies, naming the same individuals.

The BBC's coverage focuses on the basic facts of the incident, while Dawn's reporting includes more granular information about the rescue efforts, the involvement of the Pakistan Army, and the identification of the missing climbers.

Key claims

  • Seven climbers are still missing on Pakistan's Broad Peak after an avalanche on Thursday, as reported by both the BBC and Dawn.
  • The seven are part of a group of 10 climbers that were in the area when the disaster struck, according to the BBC.
  • The remains of Nadhira Ahmed Abdullah Al Harthy from Oman, Pur Bahadur Gurun from Nepal and Mallory Geis from the US have been found, as reported by both outlets.
  • The search and rescue operation was suspended late Friday due to adverse weather conditions and resumed on Saturday morning, as reported by Dawn.
  • A three-member civil rescue team, led by renowned mountaineer Sarbaz Khan, was airlifted to Broad Peak Base Camp by Pakistan Army Aviation helicopters, according to Dawn, citing the local administration and a press release from the Commissioner Baltistan Division.
  • The missing climbers include five from Nepal, including renowned mountaineer Nirmal Purja, Kili Pemba Sherpa, Nima Sherpa, Nawang Thindu Sherpa and Gyalu Sherpa, as reported by Dawn.
  • Pakistan's climber Sohail Sakhi and China's Wang Zhong are also among those missing, according to Dawn's reporting.
  • The rescue operation continues on Saturday, with a ground mission started again by the civil rescue team, and Nepali climbers at basecamp also taking part, as reported by Dawn.
  • Alpine Club of Pakistan President Major General Irfan Arshad told Dawn that the search operation was underway and that Pakistan Army helicopters were heading towards the area. The club's general secretary, Ayaz Shigri, also told Dawn that the rescue operation was being carried out with support of army helicopters, and that drone footage had identified the presence of more climbers at an altitude of 6,000m.
  • According to Nepali media, renowned Nepali mountaineer Mingma David Sherpa arrived in Pakistan to assist in the search and rescue operation, as reported by Dawn.

Perspectives

The Gilgit-Baltistan government expressed condolences to the families of the deceased climbers and assured them that all possible assistance would be provided in the rescue operation and the repatriation of the bodies to their respective countries, according to a press release reported by Dawn.

Officials from the Alpine Club of Pakistan, including President Major General Irfan Arshad and General Secretary Ayaz Shigri, provided updates on the ongoing rescue efforts, highlighting the challenges posed by mountain terrain, adverse weather, snow avalanche risks and snowfall, as quoted by Dawn.