Celebrated Nepali mountaineer Nirmal Purja, famed for his record-setting ascent of the world’s 14 highest peaks, tragically lost his life in an avalanche during an expedition in Pakistan, his expedition company confirmed on Saturday.
Elite Exped, the organisation behind the climb, announced the devastating news on social media, revealing that Purja, also known as ‘Nimsdai,’ and other members of the team did not survive the incident on Broad Peak.
Nepal’s Prime Minister Balendra Shah expressed deep sorrow over the loss of Purja and the other climbers, emphasizing that while their physical journeys have ended, their legacy of bravery and dedication will continue to inspire.
Purja, aged 43, along with nine others, went missing after an avalanche struck Broad Peak, which stands at 8,051 metres (26,414 feet) and ranks as the world’s 12th-highest mountain. The peak is located in Pakistan’s Gilgit-Baltistan region and is known for its technical climbing challenges.
Authorities confirmed that the bodies of Purja and the other climbers were located in a remote and difficult-to-access area, delaying their recovery.
Purja, a former Gurkha soldier and special forces operative in the British military, achieved global recognition in 2019 by completing the fastest ascent of all 14 of the world’s highest mountains within six months. His remarkable journey was later featured in the Netflix documentary “14 Peaks: Nothing Is Impossible,” released in 2021.
UK Defence Minister Wes Streeting expressed profound sadness over Purja’s death, praising him as an inspirational figure whose mountaineering feats were celebrated worldwide.
The avalanche struck around midday on Thursday, claiming the lives of ten mountaineers, including six Nepalis and others from Pakistan, Oman, the United States, and China. Rescue teams recovered three bodies on Friday.
Chhang Dawa Sherpa, a board member of Seven Summit Treks, which had three Sherpa guides among the deceased, stated that drone footage helped identify the remaining bodies, though their retrieval remains challenging due to the terrain.
He noted that unlike Nepal, Pakistan lacks the practice of long-line helicopter rescues in mountainous areas, necessitating careful consideration for the safety of rescue personnel.
Sajid Hussain, deputy director of Gilgit-Baltistan’s tourism department, confirmed ongoing rescue operations. While drone and aerial reconnaissance have pinpointed the victims’ locations, safely recovering the bodies remains difficult.
Purja’s mountaineering career included climbing Annapurna, the world’s 10th-highest peak, in 2019 before pursuing other 8,000-metre summits. Of the 14 tallest mountains globally, eight are located in Nepal, five in Pakistan, and one in Tibet.
Elite climbers described Purja as a charismatic and transformative figure in high-altitude guiding. British climber Kenton Cool, who has summited Everest 20 times, highlighted Purja’s role in revolutionizing the mountaineering community.
