Ten climbers, including the renowned mountaineer Nirmal "Nims" Purja, have been confirmed dead following a tragic avalanche on Broad Peak, one of the world's highest mountains in northern Pakistan. The confirmation comes after a multi-day search operation in the Gilgit-Baltistan region, which concluded with the tragic discovery of the victims.
Purja, a celebrated Nepalese climber, gained global recognition after his record-breaking career was featured in the 2021 Netflix documentary, "14 Peaks: Nothing Is Impossible." His expedition company, Elite Exped, released a statement on Instagram expressing "profound sadness and immense heartbreak" while confirming that Purja and all other members of the expedition had lost their lives.
The group had been reported missing since Thursday, July 30, after the avalanche struck the 12th-highest mountain in the world. Sajid Hussain, deputy director of the tourism department in Gilgit-Baltistan, noted that while rescue teams successfully identified the location of the 10 victims using drone surveillance and aerial reconnaissance, the bodies remain in a difficult-to-reach area and have not yet been recovered. Chhang Dawa Sherpa of Seven Summit Treks highlighted that the lack of long-line helicopter rescue capability in Pakistan makes high-altitude recovery efforts exceptionally challenging compared to operations in Nepal.
The ill-fated expedition included climbers from Nepal, Pakistan, Oman, the United States, and China. Purja, a former member of the United Kingdom's elite Special Boat Service and a former Gurkha, was widely regarded as a pioneer in modern mountaineering. In 2019, he shattered records by climbing all 14 of the world’s peaks higher than 8,000 meters in just over six months. He also helped lead the first successful winter ascent of K2 and was frequently praised for his efforts to rescue fellow climbers in distress.
Tributes have poured in for the climber, with Nepal Prime Minister Balendra Shah stating he was "stunned" by the loss, emphasizing that the history of the climbers' courage and dedication would remain an inspiration. British climber Kenton Cool, a veteran of 20 Everest summits, remembered Purja as a "charismatic" figure who fundamentally reshaped the landscape of high-altitude guiding.
He later helped lead the first successful winter ascent of K2, the world's second-highest mountain, and became known throughout the climbing community for repeatedly risking his life to rescue fellow mountaineers in distress, The Guardian reported.
Reporter Anthony Thompson can be reached at ajthompson@usatodayco.com, or on X @athompsonUSAT.
