Skardu, Pakistan – 1 August 2026(Ghufran): Renowned Nepali climber Nirmal “Nimsdai” Purja, celebrated worldwide for becoming the fastest person to summit all 14 of the world’s 8,000-metre peaks, has tragically lost his life in a devastating avalanche on Broad Peak in Pakistan’s Gilgit-Baltistan region. According to officials and expedition organisers, Purja and nine fellow climbers went missing on Thursday after a powerful avalanche struck their team while they were ascending Broad Peak at an altitude of approximately 6,600 metres. Following extensive search and rescue operations involving rescue teams, local authorities, and military helicopters, it was confirmed on Saturday that all ten mountaineers had perished.
Purja’s expedition organising company, Elite Exped, confirmed his death in an official statement, expressing profound grief over the loss of the legendary climber and the other members of the expedition. The expedition team consisted of ten climbers representing several countries, including Nepal, Pakistan, Oman, the United States, and China. Six of the climbers were Nepali nationals, while the remaining members hailed from Pakistan, Oman, the United States, and China.
Nirmal Purja, 43, a former Gurkha who served with the British Special Forces, earned international recognition in 2019 by climbing all 14 of the world’s highest mountains in just over six months, shattering the previous record. His remarkable achievement was later documented in the internationally acclaimed Netflix film “14 Peaks: Nothing Is Impossible.” Broad Peak, standing at 8,051 metres (26,414 feet), is the world’s twelfth-highest mountain and is regarded as one of the most technically demanding climbs in the Karakoram range.
Authorities have expressed condolences to the families of the victims and praised the tireless efforts of rescuers who conducted search operations under extremely challenging weather and terrain conditions. The tragic incident serves as a stark reminder of the extreme dangers associated with high-altitude mountaineering, where unpredictable weather and avalanche risks continue to pose significant threats even to the world’s most experienced climbers.