ISLAMABAD, Renowned Nepali mountaineer Nirmal Purja is among nine climbers confirmed dead after a devastating avalanche struck Broad Peak, the world’s 12th-highest mountain, in Pakistan’s Karakoram Range. Meanwhile, Pakistani climber Sohail Sakhi remains missing, with search efforts continuing.In a statement posted on social media, Elite Exped, the expedition company led by Nirmal Purja, confirmed the tragic loss.
“It is with profound sadness and heartbreak that we confirm Nirmal Purja passed away following the avalanche on Thursday. Nine other members of the expedition also lost their lives.”
The announcement officially confirmed the deaths of the internationally acclaimed climber and other expedition members.
Pakistani Climber Still Missing
Pakistani authorities have not confirmed the death of Sohail Sakhi, who remains unaccounted for following the avalanche.
Rescue teams continue search operations in the hazardous high-altitude terrain, although severe weather and difficult conditions are hampering efforts.
Recovery Operations Continue
President of the Alpine Club of Pakistan, Major General (Retd.) Irfan Arshad, said rescue teams had recovered four bodies by Saturday evening, which have been transferred to a hospital in Skardu.
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He added that:
- The locations of five additional bodies have been identified.
- The bodies are situated in extremely dangerous terrain.
- Rescue teams are assessing whether recovery can be conducted safely without endangering additional lives.
According to Arshad, the fourth recovered body has been identified as Gyalu Sherpa, a Nepali mountaineer.
The avalanche struck an international expedition on Broad Peak (8,047 meters), one of Pakistan’s most challenging mountains and among the world’s fourteen peaks exceeding 8,000 meters.
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The disaster ranks among the most serious mountaineering tragedies in Pakistan in recent years.
Forty-three-year-old Nirmal Purja, popularly known as “Nims Dai,” gained worldwide recognition in 2019 after becoming the fastest person to climb all 14 mountains above 8,000 meters, completing the challenge in just over six months.
His remarkable achievement was featured in the 2021 Netflix documentary 14 Peaks: Nothing Is Impossible, inspiring climbers around the world.
Before pursuing mountaineering professionally, Purja served in the British Army and later became a member of the Royal Marines Special Boat Service (SBS).
Authorities and rescue teams continue operations in hopes of locating the missing Pakistani climber as the mountaineering community mourns one of its darkest days.
