Mountaineer Nirmal Purja among 10 killed in Pakistan avalanche

Renowned British-Nepali mountaineer Nirmal Purja has died in an avalanche on Broad Peak in Pakistan that killed 10 climbers, his expedition company has confirmed.

Elite Expeditions said it learned “with profound sadness and immense heartbreak” that the 43-year-old was among those killed in Thursday’s avalanche.

Purja, who was born in Nepal and later served in the British Army, gained worldwide recognition in 2019 after climbing the world’s 14 highest peaks in just over six months, setting a new record.

Earlier, Pakistani officials said the bodies of three members of Purja’s expedition had been recovered. They were identified as American climber Mallory Geis, Omani climber Nadhira Ahmed Abdullah Al Harthy, and Nepalese climber Pur Bahadur Gurung.

Nepal’s Prime Minister Balendra Shah later confirmed that six Nepalese climbers and four foreign nationals had died in the avalanche, including Purja.

“The tragic death of six Nepalese and four other foreign climbers, including world record holder Nirmal Purja, in the Karakoram mountain range of Pakistan, has shocked us,” Shah said.

“The history of their courage, dedication, and contributions will always remain inspiring.”

In a statement, Purja’s older brother, Kamal Purja, paid tribute to him, writing: “It is with the heaviest heart that I share the devastating news that my beloved younger brother, Nirmal ‘Nimsdai’ Purja, and the other climbers are no longer with us.”

“Although our hearts are broken, we are incredibly proud of you. Your legacy will live forever,” he added.

UK Defence Secretary Wes Streeting also paid tribute, saying on X: “Incredibly sad to learn of the passing of Nirmal (Nims) Purja and those he was climbing with.

“He was an inspirational man who served in our Armed Forces for many years – and whose incredible mountaineering adventures are known the world over.”