Islamabad, Pakistan – Renowned mountaineer and former British Army soldier Nirmal Purja is among those killed in an avalanche on Broad Peak in Pakistan, his company has confirmed. All 10 members of the expedition are feared dead.
Elite Expeditions shared the news on social media, saying it was with "profound sadness and immense heartbreak" that it confirmed Purja's death in Thursday's avalanche.
"It is with profound sadness and immense heartbreak that we confirm the passing of our dear friend and founder, Nirmal 'Nims' Purja, along with all nine members of the Broad Peak expedition team," the company said in a statement.
Key developments:
- Confirmed: Nirmal Purja and all 10 expedition members killed in avalanche
- Location: Broad Peak (8,047m), Karakoram range, Pakistan
- Date: Avalanche struck Thursday, bodies being recovered
- Victims: Six Nepalese and four foreign climbers
- Purja's record: Climbed all 14 peaks over 8,000m in just over 6 months (2019)
- Background: Former British Special Boat Service (Royal Marines) member
- Documentary: Featured in Netflix's "14 Peaks: Nothing Is Impossible" (2021)
- Bodies recovered: American Mallory Geis, Omani Nadhira Ahmed Abdullah Al Harthy, Nepali Pur Bahadur Gurung
- Nepal PM: Balendra Shah confirms deaths, calls it "tragic"
Pakistani officials previously said the bodies of three climbers – American Mallory Geis, Nadhira Ahmed Abdullah Al Harthy from Oman and Pur Bahadur Gurung from Nepal – who were among the 10-person expedition had been recovered.
Purja's death was also confirmed by Nepal's Prime Minister Balendra Shah, who said on social media that "the tragic death of six Nepalese and four other foreign climbers, including world record holder Nirmal Purja, in the Karakoram mountain range of Pakistan, has shocked us".
"The history of their courage, dedication, and contributions will always remain inspiring," the prime minister added.
Rescue teams in Pakistan had been searching for the climbers on the world's 12th-highest summit.
Nirmal Purja: A Mountaineering Legend
Purja, 43, became widely known following a Netflix documentary chronicling his journey, 14 Peaks: Nothing Is Impossible, released in 2021.
The Nepali-born climber made history in 2019, scaling all of the world's 14 peaks over 8,000 metres in just over six months – a record that had previously stood at seven years.
Purja joined the British Army in 2003 and the Special Boat Service – the Royal Navy's special forces unit – in 2009. His military background and extraordinary climbing achievements made him one of the most respected figures in the mountaineering community.
The Broad Peak Expedition
The avalanche happened on Thursday on the 8,047m (26,400ft) peak in the Karakoram range. The multinational climbing group was being led by Purja.
The expedition included climbers from Nepal, the United States, Pakistan, Oman and China. All 10 members of the expedition have now been confirmed dead.
Broad Peak is regarded as one of the more challenging mountains for climbers. The first successful ascent was in 1957, when an Austrian expedition reached the summit.
Since then, many more have climbed the mountain, but dozens have lost their lives. One of Broad Peak's deadliest years was 2013, when at least six fatalities were recorded.
International Reactions
Nepal's Prime Minister Balendra Shah expressed shock and sadness at the news, praising the climbers' "courage, dedication, and contributions" as "always inspiring."
The international mountaineering community has also expressed deep sorrow, with tributes pouring in for Purja and his team. Many have described Purja as one of the greatest climbers of his generation.
🏔️ The Big Picture
Nirmal Purja, one of the world's greatest mountaineers, has been killed along with all nine members of his expedition team after an avalanche struck Broad Peak in Pakistan. Purja, who made history in 2019 by climbing all 14 of the world's peaks over 8,000 metres in just over six months, was leading a multinational expedition on the world's 12th-highest mountain when the avalanche hit on Thursday. The 43-year-old former British Special Boat Service member became a global icon following the 2021 Netflix documentary "14 Peaks: Nothing Is Impossible." Nepal's Prime Minister has confirmed the deaths of six Nepalese and four foreign climbers, as the mountaineering community mourns the loss of one of its greatest legends.
What's Next
Key developments to watch:
- Body recovery: Continued efforts to recover all bodies from the mountain
- Investigation: Determining the cause of the avalanche
- Memorials: Tributes and memorials for the fallen climbers
- Nepal reaction: Official response from Nepal's government
- Mountaineering community: Safety discussions and reflections
🏔️ For more breaking news and updates: Visit NewsOrbit – World Breaking News for the latest headlines from around the globe.
