1 month ago
Avalanche Claims Broad Peak Expedition, Highlights Rising Himalayan Risks
A big pile of snow fell on a mountain in Pakistan on July 30, 2023.
It hit a team of climbers led by Nirmal Purja, who had climbed many very tall mountains before.
The snow pushed them down about 1,000 feet, and three of them were found dead.
Scientists say that avalanches usually happen in winter, but because of climate change, they are happening more in summer too.
The mountain is very dangerous because it is very high and the air has little oxygen, so many people have died on similar climbs.
Avalanche on July 30 at 6,600 m swept Nirmal Purja’s team from Broad Peak.
Three bodies recovered; GPS data shows a 1,000‑ft drop.
Experts note July avalanches are unusual; climate change is raising risk in the Western Himalayas.
Overcrowding and extreme weather add danger to high‑altitude climbs.
Nirmal Purja had summited 57 eight‑thousanders; Rizza Alee warned of slow‑moving climbers on Everest.
- Who
- Nirmal Purja and his team, Dr Hasan Raja Naqvi, Rizza Alee
- What
- Avalanche swept the expedition from Broad Peak
- Where
- Broad Peak, Karakoram Range, Pakistan
- When
- July 30, 2023
- Why
- Climate change increasing avalanche risk, overcrowding, extreme weather
Key facts
- Event
- Avalanche on Broad Peak expedition
- Date
- July 30, 2023
- Location
- Broad Peak, Karakoram Range, Pakistan
- Victims recovered
- 3 bodies
- Climber
- Nirmal Purja
Quotes
Dr Hasan Raja Naqvi
Assistant Professor of geography at Jamia Millia Islamia
“There has been an increase in avalanche occurrence in recent decades in Western Himalayas.”
indianexpress.com
Rizza Alee
Mountaineer who attempted Everest in 2019
“While I was climbing Everest, a lot of people died because of slow-moving climbers. Even if I’m fast, but somebody ahead of me is slow and I am actually dying because of him as my oxygen is running out.”
indianexpress.com
Sources
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