Noted Climber Nirmal Purja Among 10 Dead in Avalanche in Pakistan
His company said the record-setting climber died with nine others after an avalanche struck a technically difficult 8,000-meter peak.
- On Thursday, July 30, 2026, an avalanche struck a 10-person expedition on Pakistan's Broad Peak, killing Nepal-born British mountaineer Nirmal Purja. Elite Exped, his expedition company, confirmed the death on Saturday.
- While ascending from Camp II to Camp III at 6,600 meters, the team was struck by avalanche at 9 a.m. Thursday. The mountain's main west-facing gully collapsed, sweeping all ten climbers hundreds of meters downhill.
- Authorities confirmed the deaths of Purja, American entrepreneur Mallory Geis, Omani mountaineer Nadhira Al Harthy, and Nepalese guide Pur Bahadur Gurung. Officials located their remains using drone footage, though recovery remains ongoing.
- Rescuers backed by Pakistani military helicopters continue searching for six missing climbers as inclement weather hampers operations. The Information Department of Gilgit-Baltistan stated recovered bodies were transported to hospitals for identification.
- Broad Peak is notorious for extreme altitude and unstable snow conditions, with fatal accidents occurring frequently on the mountain. Purja gained international fame by climbing all 14 mountains above 8,000 meters in a record 189 days in 2019.
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48 Articles
Mountaineer Nirmal Purja's final message before fatal broad peak avalanche: 'Never took a mountain for granted'
Record-breaking British-Nepali mountaineer Nirmal Purja, popularly known as 'Nimsdai', died in an avalanche on Broad Peak in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir's Gilgit-Baltistan while leading an expedition.
After climbing all 14 of the world's highest mountains in record time, Nirmal 'Nimsdai' Purja chased one final dream; a 2026 avalanche on Pakistan's Broad Peak claimed his life
Mountaineering legend Nirmal 'Nimsdai' Purja tragically died in an avalanche on Pakistan's Broad Peak. He was 43 years old when the devastating incident occurred in late July 2026. Purja was renowned for summiting all fourteen 8,000-meter peaks in a record 189 days. His courage and dedication inspired a new generation of climbers worldwide. His legacy as a record-breaker and rescuer will continue to endure.
An avalanche has torn an expedition to the eight-thousander several hundred meters deep in Pakistan. After more than 48 hours it was clear that all ten participants are dead, including the record climber Nirmal Purja.
(Jakarta=Yonhap News) Correspondent Son Hyun-kyu = On Broad Peak (8,047m), a high peak in Pakistan and one of the world's 14 peaks over 8,000m above sea level, a recent avalanche...
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