Body of US climber who died in Broad Peak avalanche airlifted from base camp to Skardu

GILGIT: The body of US climber Sarah Mallory Geis, one of the 10 individuals who perished in an avalanche on Broad Peak, has been airlifted to Skardu on Tuesday. She was part of an expedition led by renowned mountaineer Nirmal Purja, where all 10 members tragically lost their lives after the avalanche on July 30. Geis was among the last two climbers whose bodies could not be recovered until she was discovered by local porters on Friday, 22 days after the tragic event.

The body was initially moved to the Broad Peak base camp but remained inaccessible due to unfavorable weather, preventing helicopter operations. However, Pakistan Army helicopters finally transported the body on Tuesday, following which it was received by ACP officials, district administration, police, and medical personnel at a helipad in Skardu.

The body will subsequently be sent to Islamabad after necessary legal procedures. Meanwhile, efforts are underway to retrieve the body of Pakistani mountaineer Dr Asma Mushtaq, who died from high-altitude sickness while descending Spantik on August 20. Mushtaq's body is currently at Camp 3, approximately 6,250 meters above sea level.

Weather conditions are expected to improve, allowing the rescue team to attempt retrieving her body from Camp 3 to the base camp.