KATHMANDU: The mortal remains of three more Nepali climbers killed in the Broad Peak avalanche in Pakistan have been brought home, nearly two weeks after the disaster that claimed the lives of 10 climbers, including six Nepalis.

The bodies of Kili Pemba Sherpa, known as “Kilu”, Gyaluu Sherpa and Nima Sherpa arrived in Kathmandu on Tuesday afternoon on a Qatar Airways flight. Their remains will be taken to the Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA) office in Naxal, where members of the mountaineering fraternity, relatives and well-wishers will gather to pay their final respects.

The three were among six Nepali climbers killed when a massive avalanche struck an international expedition on Broad Peak (8,047 metres) on July 30. Record-setting British - Nepali mountaineer Nirmal “Nims” Purja, veteran mountain guide Pur Bahadur “Yukta” Gurung and Nawang Thindu Sherpa were the other Nepali victims. Climbers from Pakistan, China, Oman and the United States were also killed in the disaster.

The homecoming of Kili Pemba, Gyaluu and Nima follows the return of Gurung’s body to Nepal last week. Hundreds of climbers, expedition operators, family members and members of Nepal’s mountaineering community gathered at the NMA headquarters to pay tribute to the veteran guide, whose body was later taken to Swayambhu for his final rites.

The recovery and repatriation of the Broad Peak victims has been complicated by the mountain’s difficult terrain and conditions. Gurung’s remains were recovered and brought home earlier, while Purja’s family, based in the United Kingdom, is expected to hold his final rites in London.

The remains of Nawang Thindu Sherpa have yet to be recovered because of the difficult geography and hazardous conditions in the area.

The Broad Peak tragedy has triggered an outpouring of grief across Nepal’s mountaineering community, with climbers, guides and expedition organisations paying tribute to the victims and highlighting their contributions to Himalayan mountaineering.

The deaths have also renewed attention on the risks faced by high-altitude climbers and mountain guides, who continue to work in some of the world’s most challenging terrain during commercial climbing seasons.