The Nepalese climbing community, along with diplomats from several countries, jointly held a candlelight vigil in Kathmandu to remember 10 climbers who died in an avalanche on Pakistan's Broad Peak.
Buddhist monks led prayers dedicating merit, while attendees lit candles and prayed for the victims of the avalanche on Pakistan's Broad Peak, all amid an atmosphere heavy with grief.
Tul Singh Gurung, a mountain guide from the National Mountain Guide Association of Nepal, said the event represents a great loss not only to the climbing community but to the entire country of Nepal.
This tragedy deeply saddened the global climbing community because one of the deceased was Nirmal "Nims" Purja, a legendary Nepalese climber who set the record for summiting all 14 peaks over 8,000 meters worldwide in just 6 months and 6 days. He gained worldwide fame through the "Project Possible" initiative and a Netflix documentary. A former special forces soldier in the British Army, he played a key role in advancing Nepal's international reputation in climbing. His death, along with nine teammates, is seen as one of the greatest losses in the climbing world in recent years.
The tragedy occurred last Thursday in Gilgit-Baltistan in northern Pakistan when an avalanche swept through a climbing team comprising members from Nepal, Oman, Pakistan, China, the United Kingdom, and the United States. The Alpine Club of Pakistan described it as one of the deadliest climbing accidents in the country's history.
Currently, Pakistani authorities are mobilizing rescue teams on foot to search for victims on the mountain, which is the 12th highest in the world, after bad weather prevented helicopter flights.
So far, rescue teams have recovered eight bodies and managed to transport at least three down from the mountain since Saturday. Search and recovery efforts for the remaining victims continue.
,AP
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