Mountaineer Nirmal Purja and Nine Expedition Members Killed
An avalanche struck the ten-member expedition on the world's 12th-highest peak on Thursday, with all deaths confirmed by Saturday.
An avalanche struck the ten-member expedition on the world's 12th-highest peak on Thursday, with all deaths confirmed by Saturday.
The global mountaineering community has been shaken by the news of the tragic deaths of celebrated Nepali climber Nirmal Purja (43), known by his nickname Nimsdai, and nine other members of his expedition. According to a statement from his company, Elite Exped, all perished in a powerful avalanche on Broad Peak in Pakistan.
The accident occurred on Thursday, July 30, 2026, when an avalanche struck the ten-member group at around 9:30 a.m. at an altitude of 6,600 meters, between Camp 2 and Camp 3 on the mountain's western side. According to GPS tracking data, the climbers fell about 800 meters down a steep slope. Poor weather conditions that lasted 48 hours significantly hampered rescue efforts, reports Le Figaro.
On Friday, rescue teams found four bodies, three of which were successfully recovered. The remains of Omani climber Nathira Ahmed were transported to Islamabad, while the bodies of American Mallory Geis and Nepali Bahadur Gurung are at a hospital in Skardu. The search for the remaining victims continued on Saturday with the support of Pakistani military helicopters, reports Klix.ba.
Elite Exped officially confirmed the worst on Saturday. "Today, with deep sorrow and immense heartbreak, we confirm that Nirmal 'Nimsdai' Purja tragically lost his life in an avalanche on Broad Peak," they announced. "We have also received confirmation that, unfortunately, the other expedition members did not survive."
"The world has lost one of the greatest mountaineers of all time," Elite Exped stated, adding that "no words can ease the pain of this unimaginable loss."
Among the deceased were six Nepalis and climbers from Pakistan, Oman, the United States, and China, reports N1 BiH. Most sources indicate that a total of ten people died, including Purja, while Webtribune reports eleven team members killed.
Nirmal Purja, a former British soldier born in Nepal, gained worldwide fame in 2019 when he climbed all 14 peaks over 8,000 meters in a record-breaking six months and six days (189 days). This incredible feat was documented in the Netflix film "14 Peaks: Nothing Is Impossible." His record was broken in 2023.
Purja was described as a leader who "inspired millions of people with his courage, humility, and unwavering belief that human potential is far greater than we often believe," Elite Exped highlighted.
Irfan Arshad Khan, president of the Alpine Club of Pakistan, expressed condolences to the families of the victims. "The loss of these brave climbers, who came from different countries but were united by their love for the mountains, is an irreplaceable loss for world mountaineering," Khan said, adding that "mountains inspire us with their beauty, but they also remind us of the immense risks faced by those who venture to climb the high peaks of the Himalayas and Karakoram."
Nepal's Prime Minister Balendra Shah said he was stunned by the news of the climbers' deaths. "Only the physical journey of the climbers has been halted. But the history of their courage, dedication, and contributions will always remain alive and inspiring," Shah wrote. AFP described Purja as "an industry giant who leaves behind a legacy that inspired a generation to climb higher."
Broad Peak, standing about 8,050 meters high (according to some sources, 8,051 or 8,047 meters), is the world's 12th-highest peak and is considered technically extremely challenging to climb. It is located in Pakistan's northern Gilgit-Baltistan region, in the Karakoram range.
