Celebrated climber Nirmal Purja and nine other mountaineers died in an avalanche on Pakistan’s Broad Peak. Search teams have located the victims using drone surveillance, but recovery operations remain difficult due to the technical terrain and regional rescue constraints.
Renowned mountaineer Nirmal Purja, who gained international fame for setting a record in 2019 by ascending the world’s 14 highest peaks in just over six months, was among ten climbers killed when an avalanche struck Broad Peak in Pakistan. The 43-year-old mountaineer led the multinational expedition on the 8,051-meter mountain, which is the world’s 12th-highest summit and sits within the Karakoram range in the Gilgit-Baltistan region.
The Fatal Avalanche on Broad Peak and the Missing Team
The multinational group was caught in the avalanche around midday on Thursday, July 30, after days of heavy snowfall blanketed the area. According to the Alpine Club of Pakistan, the expedition consisted of five Nepalese climbers, a Pakistani guide, an Omani climber, an American climber, a Chinese climber identified only as Mr. Wang, and one other foreign climber.
Garmin device tracking data showed the team ascending steadily early Thursday morning, with tracking pings placing Purja near Camp 2 at an altitude of 6,166 meters at 5:33 a.m. local time. Shortly after reaching higher elevations, communication with the base camp was lost when the avalanche swept the climbers down the mountain’s main west-facing gully.
Identified Victims and Ongoing Recovery Challenges
While search-and-rescue teams mobilized immediately, harsh conditions and treacherous terrain hampered efforts. Pakistani officials confirmed that the bodies of three climbers—American Mallory Geis, Omani climber Nadhira Ahmed Abdullah Al Harthy, and Nepalese climber Pur Bahadur Gurung—were recovered in the initial days following the disaster.
BREAKING: 10 missing after massive avalanche on Broad Peak in Pakistan including Nirmal 'Nims' Purja
Elite Exped, the expedition organizing company, released a statement confirming the tragic outcome for the remaining team members.
“Today, it is with profound sadness and immense heartbreak that we confirm that Nirmal ‘Nimsdai’ Purja tragically lost his life following the avalanche on Broad Peak. We have also received confirmation that other members of the expedition sadly did not survive.”
Search crews utilizing drone footage and aerial reconnaissance have located the remaining bodies, though recovering them presents distinct operational hurdles. Chhang Dawa Sherpa, a board director of Seven Summit Treks, stated that Pakistan does not utilize long-line helicopter rescues on its mountains in the same manner as Nepal, meaning ground teams must carefully weigh retrieval risks.
“They are in a difficult spot and have not been retrieved yet,”
Chhang Dawa Sherpa, board director of Seven Summit Treks
“We have to take into account the safety of those who go and retrieve the bodies.”
Chhang Dawa Sherpa, board director of Seven Summit Treks
A Lasting Legacy in Global Mountaineering
A former British military serviceman with the Gurkhas and the special forces, he achieved global renown in 2019 by completing the fastest ascent of the world’s 14 highest peaks in 189 days. His extraordinary journey was later chronicled in the Netflix documentary 14 Peaks: Nothing Is Impossible.
Nepal Prime Minister Balendra Shah wrote, noting that while the physical journey of the climbers had ended, their legacy of courage and dedication would endure.
“Only physical journey of the climbers has stopped. But the history of their courage, dedication and contributions will always remain alive and inspiring.”
Photo: Reuters
Balendra Shah, Prime Minister of Nepal
UK Defence Secretary Wes Streeting also offered his condolences on X, describing Purja as an inspirational figure whose adventures resonated worldwide.
“Incredibly sad to learn of the passing of Nirmal (Nims) Purja and those he was climbing with. He was an inspirational man who served in our Armed Forces for many years – and whose incredible mountaineering adventures are known the world over.”
Wes Streeting, UK Defence Secretary
Sajid Hussain, deputy director of the tourism department for the Gilgit-Baltistan region, confirmed that local rescue teams continue working to bring the remaining victims down safely from the high-altitude site.
