Mountaineer Nirmal Purja Dies After Avalanche on Broad Peak

Skardu – 01.08.2026: Nepali-British extreme mountaineer Nirmal Purja has died following an avalanche on Broad Peak in Pakistan’s Karakoram. His expedition company, Elite Exped, confirmed the 43-year-old’s death on Saturday. Purja had been missing since the avalanche on Thursday, July 30, along with other members of several climbing teams.

The mass of snow swept up the climbers as they were ascending to a higher camp. The 8,047-metre Broad Peak is located near the Pakistan-China border and is one of the world’s 14 eight-thousanders. Its remote location, great altitude and rapidly changing weather conditions make rescue operations there particularly difficult. Poor visibility, heavy snowfall and rough terrain also hampered the search this time.

Pakistan’s armed forces supported the operation with helicopters, while mountain rescuers searched the mountain for people buried by the avalanche. Four bodies had already been discovered on Friday, three of which were recovered. Authorities identified the recovered dead as Nepali mountain guide Pur Bahadur Gurung, Omani mountaineer Nadhira Ahmed Al Harthy and American Mallory Geis.

On Saturday, further participants in the expedition were still considered missing. Information on the number of recovered victims and the status of individual search sectors changed over the course of the day. Rescue teams focused on the avalanche slope and the areas below it, where the missing people were believed to be. Operations at this altitude depend heavily on visibility, wind and snow conditions; helicopters can only take off and land under favourable conditions.

Purja, widely known as Nims Dai, was among the most prominent high-altitude mountaineers of his generation. In 2019, he climbed all 14 eight-thousanders in 189 days, setting what was then a record. The undertaking brought him international recognition and later reached a wide audience through the documentary film “14 Peaks: Nothing Is Impossible”.

Born in Nepal, Purja had previously served in British special forces. Through Elite Exped, he organised and led commercial expeditions in the Himalayas and the Karakoram. His ventures combined sporting record attempts with logistical support for paying climbers, while also shaping the debate over commercial high-altitude mountaineering.

Broad Peak is among Pakistan’s highest mountains and lies in the same high-mountain region as K2. Expeditions there depend on long approaches, carefully established high-altitude camps and limited weather windows. Following the avalanche, rescue workers continued their search on Saturday under difficult conditions.