Oman climber dies after avalanche hits Broad Peak in Pakistan

Broad Peak in Pakistan. (Wikimedia Commons/Kogo)

JAKARTA - An Oman mountain climber died after an avalanche hit Broad Peak in Pakistan during an expedition on Thursday.

Nadhira Al Harthy was part of a team of 10 climbers who were reported missing after a snow avalanche in Pakistan-administered Gilgit-Baltistan.

Along with Al Harthy, the team consisted of five climbers from Nepal, one each from Pakistan, China, and the US, and one from an unnamed country.

The team includes famous climber Nirmal Purja, a former member of the Royal Marines of Nepalese origin, known for climbing the 14th mountain in the world with a height of more than 8,000 meters in just six months in 2019.

Al Harthy's death - along with that of Nepali climber Pur Bahadur Gurung - was announced by the Alpine Club of Pakistan on social media on Friday.

The statement said with "deep sorrow" that the bodies of the two climbers had been found, and their deaths were later confirmed by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth in Oman, quoted from The National (31/7).

Earlier, local police had earlier on Friday confirmed four bodies had been found from Broad Peak, and search and rescue operations had been suspended for the day due to weather.

Meanwhile, the Oman Olympic Committee paid tribute to Al Harthy's work as President of the Oman School Sports Federation, and wished his family peace.

Laila Al Hadhrami, a friend of the mountain climber, wrote on Instagram, Al Harthy is a source of pride and inspiration that brings the name of Oman high.

"You are an inspiration to us all," Al Hadhrami wrote.

"Every time we meet you and hear about your unwavering ambitions, we plan to meet as soon as you return from Pakistan, and I never thought you would leave us so soon," he continued.

With the passing of Hareth Al-Harthi, Oman loses one of the inspiring figures who embodied the meaning of ambition and determination, may Allah have mercy on him with a wide mercy. pic.twitter.com/EZjlwbj3su

— Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth - Sultanate of Oman (@mcsy_om) July 31, 2026

Separately, Amy Subaey, founder and chief executive of adventure tour company UAE Trekkers, told The National of her shock at the news.

"It feels like a betrayal when nature seems to choose our greatest ambassadors to be taken from us too soon. It's so unfair," he said.

"Nadhira Al Harthy is one of the few people who make mountains part of their essence. That's what makes the journey and her legacy so inspiring, and it will continue to live on. May her legacy continue to live for every woman in Oman and abroad," he added.

Geologist Shatha Al Ghafri told The National, the report from Pakistan is hard to accept.

"Nadhira was a kind, sincere, and inspiring person who left a beautiful impact on everyone who knew her," Al Ghafri explained.

"His kindness, warmth, and sincerity are the things I will remember most," he added.

It is known that Al Harthy in 2019 became the first Omani woman to climb Mount Everest, and then reached the peaks of K2 and Manaslu.

Broad Peak itself is the 12th highest mountain in the world with a height of 8,047 meters.

Nepal's Foreign Ministry said it was "closely monitoring the situation" and coordinating with authorities in Pakistan.