An avalanche struck Broad Peak in Pakistan-administered Kashmir on Thursday, sweeping away a 10-member climbing team that had begun its summit push, according to the Alpine Club of Pakistan. The impact occurred at an altitude of around 7,000 metres.
Rescue and search efforts are under way, but the death toll remains unclear. Times of India reports that three of the missing climbers have been found dead, while NDTV World reports four mountaineers killed and six still missing.
The discrepancy could not immediately be reconciled, though both outlets identify the mountain as Broad Peak, the world's 12th-highest peak, located in the Karakoram range. The team was reportedly attempting a summit push when the avalanche hit. The Alpine Club of Pakistan, which confirmed the incident, did not provide an updated casualty count.
Authorities have not released the names or nationalities of the climbers. The area is part of the disputed Kashmir region, administered by Pakistan and referred to as Pakistan-occupied Kashmir in some reports. An investigation into the avalanche has been opened.