Eight days after an avalanche swept through Broad Peak, the bodies of five international climbers, including famed British-Nepali mountaineer Nirmal Purja, have been recovered and flown to Skardu. The Alpine Club of Pakistan (ACP) confirmed the grim milestone on Thursday, even as the search for two remaining missing climbers presses on in treacherous high-altitude conditions. Main Developments ACP announced that the bodies of Purja, Wang Zhong, Nima Sherpa, Gyalu Sherpa, and Killi Pemba “Kilu” Sherpa were transported by helicopter to Skardu CMH Hospital on Thursday. The statement noted that after completing legal formalities and documentation, the remains will be transferred to Islamabad and prepared for repatriation to their home countries under special arrangements. Read also: Karachi Court Orders Exhumation in IBA Graduate Death Case ACP Secretary General Ayaz Shigri told Dawn that seven bodies have been recovered so far, while Pakistani mountaineer Sohail Sakhi and American Sarah Mallory Geis remain missing. Shigri added that remains believed to belong to Geis were airlifted on Saturday alongside two other climbers, but her body has yet to be positively identified or recovered. In a separate development, the body of Nawang Thindu Sherpa was spotted but could not be retrieved due to its precarious position in an avalanche-prone zone, according to ACP's Naila Kiani. The recovery effort has been hampered by extreme weather and the technical difficulty of operating at high altitudes. Background The avalanche struck on July 30, severing contact with a 10-member international expedition led by Purja, 43, on Broad Peak, one of the world's highest mountains. Purja's company confirmed there were no survivors from the group. The expedition included climbers from Nepal, China, Oman, and the United States, among others. Prior to Thursday's airlift, the bodies of Purja, Wang, Nima Sherpa, and Kili Pemba Sherpa had been recovered on Sunday and moved to base camp on Wednesday, while Gyalu Sherpa's body was shifted earlier. However, bad weather delayed the helicopter transfer from base camp. Two other climbers—Oman's Nadhira Ahmed Abdullah Al Harthy and Nepal's Pur Bahadur Gurung—were recovered on Friday and airlifted to Skardu. Why It Matters The tragedy underscores the inherent risks of high-altitude mountaineering, even for the world's most experienced climbers. Purja, renowned for breaking records on 8,000-meter peaks, was leading an expedition that ended in catastrophic loss. The recovery operation, described by ACP as one of the most technically demanding on Broad Peak, highlights the dangers faced by rescue teams and the importance of international cooperation in mountain emergencies. For Pakistan, the incident has drawn attention to the challenges of managing mountaineering activities in the Karakoram range and the need for robust safety protocols. The successful recovery of seven bodies, despite extreme conditions, reflects the dedication of local porters, rescue personnel, and the Pakistan Army, who have been praised for their professionalism. What's Next The search for Sohail Sakhi and Sarah Mallory Geis continues, with the Pakistan Army, local rescue teams, and relevant agencies deploying all available resources. Meanwhile, the five recovered bodies will undergo further procedures in Islamabad before repatriation flights are arranged. The ACP has indicated that the operation will persist until the missing climbers are found or the search becomes impossible due to conditions. As the eighth day of the operation unfolds, questions remain about whether the remaining bodies can be recovered, particularly Nawang Thindu Sherpa's, given the ongoing avalanche risk. The mountaineering community awaits updates on the search and the emotional return of the deceased to their home countries.