Search-and-rescue teams in northern Pakistan have recovered four bodies following an avalanche that left 10 climbers missing on Broad Peak, officials said. The incident occurred in the Karakoram mountain range, home to the world’s 12th highest summit.

A spokesperson for the Gilgit-Baltistan region’s police confirmed that four bodies had been found beneath the avalanche site. The status of the other climbers remained uncertain as recovery efforts continued. The search operation ceased for the day and was scheduled to resume.

The missing group consisted of 10 international mountaineers, including five Nepalese, two British, a Pakistani, an Omani, and a Chinese climber, according to the Alpine Club of Pakistan. The club’s vice-president, Karrar Haidri, indicated that the team had lost communication after the avalanche struck. There was some discrepancy regarding the presence of an American in the team; the police did not confirm an American citizen was involved.

Leading the expedition was Nirmal Purja, a Nepal-born British mountaineer known for his record-breaking high-altitude climbs. Known also as Nims Dai, Purja formerly served in Britain’s Brigade of Gurkhas and later the Royal Marines’ Special Boat Squadron before focusing on mountaineering. In 2019, he set a record by summiting all 14 peaks above 8,000 meters in just 189 days. His climbs were featured in the Netflix documentary "14 Peaks: Nothing is Impossible."

Purja had posted on social media earlier this week expressing his hopes for safe passage on Broad Peak, noting his commitment to each climb was total. At 43 years old, he has been pursuing the goal of becoming the first person to summit all 14 "super peaks" twice without using supplemental oxygen.

The Alpine Club of Pakistan, along with senior military officials, coordinated the search efforts and deployed two Pakistan Army helicopters equipped with rescue personnel and specialized gear to assist in the high-altitude operation. The challenging terrain and harsh weather conditions have complicated rescue and recovery activities in the region. Authorities continue to monitor the situation as the search resumes.