KATHMANDU, Aug 1: Veteran Nepalese mountaineer Nirmal Purja lost his life after a powerful avalanche struck Broad Peak in the Gilgit-Baltistan region of Pakistan occupied Kashmir, according to media reports and expedition officials.
Purja, 43, was among a 10-member international climbing team attempting to scale the 8,051-metre peak when the avalanche hit at an altitude of nearly 7,000 metres on Thursday. The group had started its final ascent toward the summit before disaster struck.
Elite Expedition, the company associated with the expedition, confirmed Purja’s death through a statement shared on its official social media platforms. The news was later reported by The Kathmandu Post.
Officials from the Nepal Mountaineering Association said rescue teams have identified three bodies, including that of a Nepalese climber, while six additional bodies have been located on the mountain. Recovery operations continue under difficult weather and terrain conditions.
According to the Alpine Club of Pakistan, the climbers were reported missing around 9 a.m. on Thursday after the avalanche swept through the climbing route. The expedition included six Nepalese climbers along with mountaineers from Pakistan, Oman, the United States and China.
Broad Peak, situated in the Karakoram mountain range close to K2, ranks as the world’s 12th-highest mountain and is widely regarded as one of the most technically demanding eight-thousanders due to its steep terrain and unpredictable weather.
Purja was internationally recognised for his remarkable achievements in high-altitude mountaineering and inspired climbers around the world with his record-breaking expeditions. His death marks a significant loss for the global climbing community, which has paid tribute to his contributions and legacy.
