Pakistani rescuers backed by military helicopters found four bodies on Friday after a suspected avalanche on Broad Peak mountain.

The team, which includes renowned Nepal-born British mountaineer Nirmal Purja, lost contact with base camp yesterday, according to the Alpine Club of Pakistan.

What do we know about the missing mountaineers?

Two Pakistan Army Aviation helicopters joined the operation on Friday, while an experienced ground team deployed to the area where the group of at least 10 climbers was last believed to have been.

“The team has been out of communication since Thursday,” Alpine Club vice president Karrar Haidri said.

Authorities were in contact with the climbers’ families, he added. 

Pakistani security sources said the four bodies were located but had not ‌yet ​been recovered.

Chhang Dawa Sherpa, a director at trekking company Seven Summit Treks, said the climbers were believed to have been swept away by an avalanche at around 6,600 meters (21,650 feet).

The Alpine Club said also said it had received “deeply concerning reports” that the avalanche struck the expedition around midday on Thursday.

“The Alpine Club of Pakistan is closely monitoring the situation and coordinating with all concerned stakeholders,” the organization said.

It added that it remained hopeful the missing climbers would be found safely.

The missing group includes five Nepalese climbers, Pakistani mountaineer Sohail Sakhi, an Omani climber identified as Nathira, US climber Mallory Geis, a Chinese climber identified only as Wang and another international climber.

Three Sherpa guides from Seven Summit Treks were among those missing.

Who is Nirmal Purja?

Purja, widely known as Nims Dai, is a former British Army soldier who served with the Brigade of Gurkhas and later became the first Gurkha accepted into Britain’s elite Special Boat Service.

He rose to international prominence after climbing all 14 of the world’s mountains above 8,000 meters in 189 days in 2019.

The achievement was featured in the Netflix documentary “14 Peaks: Nothing is Impossible.”

What is Broad Peak?

Broad Peak stands at just over 8,000 meters in Pakistan’s Karakoram range, close to the border with China. It is the world’s 12th-highest mountain and lies only a few kilometers from the better-known K2.

Originally designated K3 during the surveying of the Karakoram, its more modern name refers to its unusually wide summit ridge, which stretches for roughly 1.5 kilometers (just under a mile).

The region contains five of the world’s 14 peaks above 8,000 meters and attracts climbers from across the globe, although avalanches and rapidly changing weather make expeditions particularly dangerous.

Edited by: Darko Janjevic

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Trainer Danny O’Brien has outlined an ambitious spring program for Sass Appeal, with three Group 1 races firmly in focus as the talented mare resumes at Flemington this Saturday.

The So You Think filly is set to kick off her preparation in the VRC Membership Renewals Open (1410m) after a stellar three-year-old season that culminated in a victory in the Kewney Stakes.

Sass Appeal has competed in just five races, achieving a runner-up finish on debut at Sandown before securing four consecutive wins, including her Group 2 success at Flemington in March.

O’Brien made the strategic decision to conclude her autumn campaign immediately after that win, believing a timely spell would position her perfectly for the spring season.

The stable has earmarked the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes, the Toorak Handicap, and the Empire Rose Stakes as her major spring objectives.

“She went to the paddock early in the autumn after the first Saturday in March as she had raced through the summer, so we weren’t keen to do too much more with her,” O’Brien stated.

“The benefit of going out early was we were able to have her ready for the early part of the spring as we are hoping to get her to a Sir Rupert Clarke or a Toorak Handicap.

“She needs to win a race or two between now and those races to get her rating up to that sort of level and this looks a good starting point on Saturday.”

Although Sass Appeal was also entered for the Aurie’s Star Handicap, O’Brien felt the 1410m assignment was a more suitable option.

The mare also benefits from the weight allocation, carrying 53kg compared to what she would have shouldered in the Group 3 sprint.

“She already has a good record at the 1400 (metres),” O’Brien commented.

“She’s won twice at the course and distance, so we thought we would stick with what she does best and is already proven at. It’s a lower rating race than what the Aurie’s Star is, a Group 3, and she is a lot better handicapped in this.”

O’Brien plans to give Sass Appeal one more lead-up run in another Benchmark 100 over 1400m at Caulfield on August 29 before stepping her into elite company.

“There’s only time to have two runs before potentially running in the Sir Rupert Clarke,” O’Brien explained.

“She can run this weekend and then go four weeks to Memsie Stakes Day to a similar race there, another 1400-metre at Caulfield and then it’s a three-week gap to the Sir Rupert Clarke. After that it’s potentially the Toorak Handicap into the Empire Rose.”

Despite the substantial prizemoney and the recent elevation of The Golden Eagle to Group 1 status, O’Brien’s preference is to keep Sass Appeal racing in Melbourne throughout the spring.

Find the best betting sites for the Flemington races.

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has moved its 2026 Elective Congress by one day, with the election now set to take place on Sunday, September 27, 2026, in Lafia, Nasarawa State.

The congress was first scheduled for Saturday, September 26, and will elect members of the NFF Executive Committee, who will lead the federation for the next four years.

The decision was approved during an extraordinary General Assembly held virtually on Wednesday after the NFF Executive Committee proposed the change.

NFF President, Ibrahim Musa Gusau, said the date was changed because of the Super Eagles’ opening qualifier for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations against Madagascar.

According to Gusau, after talks with CAF, the match was fixed for Friday, September 25, 2026. He explained that many candidates contesting the NFF election are expected to be involved with the Super Eagles, making it difficult for them to travel to Lafia in time for the congress the next day.

“In view of this development, the Executive Committee considered it necessary to seek the approval of Congress for a one-day postponement of the Elective Congress,” Gusau said.

The proposal received full support during the virtual meeting after it was moved and seconded by members of Congress, confirming Sunday, September 27, 2026, as the new date for the NFF Elective Congress.

San Diego Padres right fielder Fernando Tatis Jr. delivered one of the best defensive highlights in Thursday’s game against the San Francisco Giants. The 27-year-old robbed slugger Rafael Devers of a home run with a spectacular leaping catch against the wall at Petco Park.

The play came in the first inning with Tatis covering 94 feet to haul the homer. In the end, Rafael Devers had to settle for a sacrifice fly as the Giants took a 1-0 lead. The Giants eventually won the game 4-1.

The video of the catch quickly went viral, with fans taking to social media raving about Fernando Tatis Jr.’s jaw-dropping catch.

“This is unapologetically exceptional ☺️😊”

“What a catch. You are right hit it to the wrong guy.”

“That catch was actually insane ngl, what a play 😤”

“Guess the ball was just trying to get a better view of the skyline.”

“That’s the kind of defensive play that changes games. Tatis Jr. is simply unreal. 👏⚾”

“Wrong guy to test! 😤”

Ironically, it wasn’t the first time Fernando Tatis Jr. had denied the Giants’ $313.5M star’s of a home run. Tatis robbed Devers of a homer at Pecto Park last August, making Thursday’s catch feel like a deja vu to the Giants infielder.

Fernando Tatis Jr. fuels Padres’ push with career-best five-hit night

A couple of days ago, San Diego Padres star Fernando Tatis Jr. put together a career-best five-hit performance in the team’s 8-7 walk-off win against the Colorado Rockies. Tatis played a crucial role in the team’s victory while shortstop Xander Bogaerts delivered the decisive sacrifice fly.

Tatis’ continued production will be vital if the Padres hope to stay in the postseason race. They are currently third in the NL West standings, trailing the Arizona Diamondbacks and the division-leading Los Angeles Dodgers with a 55-54 record.

So far in 2026, Tatis Jr. has recorded eight home runs and 49 RBIs while averaging .285 with a .353 on-base percentage and .745 OPS in 108 games. Other than last year’s and Thursday’s home run robbery being similar, Tatis also went on an absurd stretch, robbing four home runs in 27 home games.