Pakistan’s summer climbing season has been rocked by tragedy after a deadly avalanche on Broad Peak forced multiple expedition teams to postpone their planned summit push on K2 and return to base camp to assist in rescue efforts.
According to expedition sources, several climbing teams stationed on K2 were scheduled to begin their final overnight ascent toward the 8,611-metre summit. However, following the avalanche disaster on nearby Broad Peak, all teams have suspended their summit attempts and are descending to K2 Base Camp.
The decision was taken to allow climbers and support staff to join the ongoing rescue and recovery operation on Broad Peak, where an avalanche struck high on the mountain, leaving 10 climbers missing.
Rescue teams have so far recovered the bodies of four climbers buried beneath the snow, while search efforts continue for the remaining six missing mountaineers. Harsh weather, unstable snow conditions, and the extreme altitude have made rescue operations highly challenging.
Broad Peak (8,051 metres) and K2, the world’s second-highest mountain, are located in Pakistan’s Karakoram range and share logistical support through nearby base camps. As a result, climbers on K2 often assist in emergency operations when major incidents occur in the region.
The tragedy has cast a shadow over Pakistan’s 2026 climbing season, with mountaineering teams prioritizing rescue efforts over summit attempts as authorities and expedition organizers continue searching for the missing climbers.