KATHMANDU: Search and rescue efforts on Mt. Makalu have been temporarily suspended as teams at base camp await an improvement in weather conditions, expedition organiser Makalu Adventure said in its latest update issued today.

According to the company, the search team remains stationed at Makalu Base Camp, with additional oxygen cylinders, food supplies and fuel airlifted earlier to support renewed operations. Weather forecasts indicate that wind conditions may ease on Wednesday and Thursday, allowing the team to resume the search for missing Iranian climber Abolfazl Gozali and attempt to recover the body of Phurba Ongel Sherpa from near Camp III.

Makalu Adventure said it has received an outpouring of condolences and messages of support following the incident, which have been conveyed to Phurba Ongel Sherpa’s family, who are being assisted by the company. Communication with Gozali’s family has remained challenging due to the ongoing security situation in Iran, with coordination taking place through the Indian Embassy. The company added that a functional satellite communication link has been established with base camp to provide regular updates.

Previous attempt thwarted by severe weather

In an earlier update on January 18, Makalu Adventure said the search team, along with expedition Sherpas, left base camp at 2 pm and reached Camp II at 6,800 metres just before nightfall. The following day, they attempted to push towards Camp IV, but were forced to retreat near Camp III due to high winds and rapidly falling temperatures.

“No sign of Abolfazl was found,” the company said, noting that the team had already spent two nights above 7,000 metres. The update reflected growing concern over the climber’s fate, while stating that the search would continue once conditions allowed.

The ongoing operation follows a tragic incident during a recent summit push on the world’s fifth-highest mountain, when Phurba Ongel Sherpa died during his descent and Abolfazl Gozali went missing. Four climbers — Sanu Sherpa, Gozali, Phurba Ongel and Lakpa Rinji Sherpa — had successfully reached the summit before the accident occurred.

A voluntary search and recovery team from 8K Expeditions has also been deployed to assist the operation. According to 8K Expeditions Chairman Pemba Sherpa, four experienced Sherpa rescuers were mobilised to help recover Phurba Ongel Sherpa’s body and search for the missing Iranian climber.

Legendary climber Sanu Sherpa has said that during the descent, Phurba Ongel fell from above Camp IV at around 7,500 metres, while Gozali was last seen descending alone near Camp III. His communication devices are believed to be non-functional.

Both Makalu Adventure and 8K Expeditions have stressed that further progress in the mission will depend entirely on a safe weather window at extreme altitude.