Candles Light Islamabad Tribute to Ten Climbers Lost on Broad Peak

In Islamabad, a candlelight vigil was held on the open lawns of a sports complex to commemorate ten climbers who died when an avalanche struck Broad Peak. Rain fell as participants, among them mountaineers, diplomats and civil-society representatives, protected their candles from the downpour while offering prayers. Rescue operations had concluded days earlier, bringing back eight of the victims; two bodies have yet to be found.

Nepal’s ambassador Rita Dhital attended, recalling conversations with the late Nirmal Purja and commending the efforts of Pakistani mountaineer Sirbaz Khan and the Alpine Club of Pakistan. Khan described the grueling task of digging through snow, retrieving bodies, and lowering them with ropes and improvised stretchers. The expedition included climbers from Nepal, Oman, Pakistan, China, Britain and the United States, highlighting the multinational nature of the tragedy.