ISLAMABAD: The body of Pakistani climber Sohail Sakhi, who went missing after a deadly avalanche struck an international expedition on Broad Peak, has been recovered and brought to the mountain’s base camp, the Alpine Club of Pakistan (ACP) said on Thursday.
Sakhi was among 10 climbers who disappeared following the avalanche on July 30 on Broad Peak, one of the world’s highest mountains. The expedition was led by renowned British-Nepali mountaineer Nirmal Purja. Purja’s company subsequently confirmed that there were no survivors among the climbers caught in the avalanche.
After the July 30 avalanche on Broad Peak, Pakistani climber Sohail Sakhi remained missing for nearly two weeks. His body was eventually recovered by local volunteers from Tissar, Shigar, who had gone up the mountain carrying supplies.
In this eyewitness account, Abuzar Ali… pic.twitter.com/r4iM0QN2uD
— Ibex Media Network (@IbexMedianetwrk) August 13, 2026
The bodies of seven climbers had earlier been recovered, while the search for Sakhi, American climber Sarah Mallory Geis and Nepalese climber Nawang Thindu Sherpa was suspended last week because of the risk of further avalanches.
Local volunteers recover Sakhi’s body
ACP member Naila Kiani confirmed on Thursday that Sakhi’s body had been located by a group of local volunteers from Shigar who had continued searching the area on their own initiative.
#BroadPeak Heros
These three volunteers deserve national recognition and appreciation for their courage and selfless service.
The unsung heroes of the Broad Peak volunteer search operation Abuzar, Muhammad Nadeem and Muhammad Bashir showed extraordinary courage, determination… pic.twitter.com/HYHJlgYvir
— Ijaz Shigri (@GashabrumII) August 13, 2026
According to Kiani, volunteers Muhammad Nadeem, Muhammad Bashir and Abuzar spotted the body and alerted others in the area. Working with additional volunteers, they managed to bring the remains down from Camp 1 to the Broad Peak Base Camp.
The body was found at an altitude of around 5,600 metres, ACP General Secretary Ayaz Shigri said. Shigri said the remains would be airlifted from the base camp to Skardu by Pakistan Army helicopters, weather conditions permitting.
Search for two climbers remains suspended
Shigri said the bodies of the two remaining missing climbers – Geis and Sherpa – had yet to be recovered. He added that rescue and recovery efforts would resume once weather conditions improved, and the area was considered safe for search teams.
The July 30 avalanche cut off contact with the 10-member international expedition, triggering a major search and recovery operation in one of the world’s most challenging high-altitude environments.
READ ALSO: Mountaineer Nirmal Purja, Nine Others Die in Broad Peak Avalanche in Pakistan
Nirmal Purja among expedition members
Nirmal Purja, one of the world’s most prominent high-altitude mountaineers, was accompanied by six elite Nepali guides as part of the expedition.
A former member of Britain’s Brigade of Gurkhas and the Royal Marines’ Special Boat Service, Purja has established multiple mountaineering records since becoming a full-time climber and expedition guide.
The recovery of Sakhi’s body brings some closure to his family and fellow climbers, although the search for the two remaining missing mountaineers remains unresolved.
