Renowned British Nepali climber Nirmal Purja has been confirmed dead following an avalanche on Pakistan’s Broad Peak. His expedition company, Elite Expeditions, shared the sorrowful news on social media. Other members of the expedition also perished.
Rescuers are continuing their search, supported by military helicopters, for the remaining members of a 10-person team. Officials have managed to recover three of four bodies found. Local police reported that Omani climber Nathira Ahmed’s remains were sent to Islamabad, while American climber Mallory Geis and Nepalese climber Bahadur Gurung’s bodies remain in Skardu.
Search efforts persist, though hopes are fading. The team fell out of contact with their base camp after Thursday’s avalanche. Experienced Pakistani climbers and army helicopters are actively involved in the rescue operation.
Nirmal Purja led the expedition and was famously known as Nims Dai. In 2019, he climbed the world’s 14 highest peaks in 189 days, a feat documented in the Netflix film “14 Peaks: Nothing Is Impossible.” His company reflected on his legacy, stating Purja was a leader who inspired millions with his courage and belief in human potential.
The expedition included climbers from various countries: five Nepalese, Omani, American, Pakistani climber Sohail Sakhi, Chinese climber Wang, and another unidentified foreign climber. Moving Mountains, a Pakistani travel company, had bid a safe journey to the crew last month as they headed to Askole.
Geis, attempting her first 8,000-meter peak, shared her anticipation on social media earlier this year. Sakhi, a geographer and high-altitude photographer, had planned this as his final guiding expedition.
Broad Peak stands at 26,401 feet, ranking as the world’s 12th-highest mountain located in the Karakoram range, along with other towering peaks. Climbing accidents are frequent in northern Pakistan due to challenging conditions such as avalanches, falling debris, and volatile weather.
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