mountaineer

Aug. 1 (UPI) — World-renowned mountaineer Nirmal Purja and nine others were killed during an avalanche on Pakistan’s Broad Peak, it was confirmed Saturday.

Purja, 42, was among 10 climbers who were swept away by the deadly avalanche on Thursday, leading rescuers on a frantic search for survivors.

Officials said Friday they had found two bodies and one body part, but did not confirm who had died.

“Today, it is with profound sadness and immense heartbreak that we confirm that Nirmal ‘Nimsdal’ Purja tragically lost his life following the avalanche on Broad Peak,” his company said in a statement on Instagram.

“We have also received confirmation that other members of the expedition sadly did not survive,” the statement added.

The expedition included Nadhira Ahmed Abdullah Al Harthy of Oman, Sohail Sakhi of Pakistan, Wang Zhong of China, Mallory Geis of the United States, as well as Pur “Yukta” Bahadur Gurung, Kili “Kilu” Pemba Sherpa, Nima Sherpa and Nawang Thindu Sherpa.

Purja, known as Nims Dai, reached the peak of his sport in 2019, when he climbed all of the world’s 14 tallest peaks in just six months, beating the previous record by nearly eight years.

“The world has lost one of mountaineering’s greatest climbers; a leader who inspired millions through his courage, humility and unwavering belief that human potential is far greater than we often imagine,” his company said.

“More than his extraordinary achievements, he wanted to show the world what was possible when you dared to dream bigger, believed in yourself and refused to accept limitations,” the statement continued. “Through his actions, he inspired millions of people to believe that they, too, could achieve more than they ever thought possible.”

Purja, who was Nepali and British, served in the U.K. military for 16 years and was awarded an MBE by the queen in 2016 for his outstanding achievement in mountaineering.

“Nims served with distinction in the British Armed Forces before becoming one of the world’s greatest mountaineers, putting Nepalese climbers on the map,” Prince Williams of Wales said in a statement on X.

“His relentless pursuit of what seemed impossible, combined with his humility and selflessness, made him truly unique.”

Mountaineer Nirmal Purja among those feared missing after avalanche hit Broad Peak, Pakistan alpine club says.

Ten climbers, led by renowned Nepali mountaineer Nirmal Purja, are feared missing after an avalanche in northern Pakistan where they were on a climbing expedition, the country’s alpine club said.

“The Alpine Club of Pakistan (ACP) has received deeply concerning reports of an avalanche that struck a team of climbers on Broad Peak (8,047m) in the Karakoram mountain range,” the club said late on Thursday, adding that the team was led by Purja and could not be reached since the incident.

Broad Peak is the 12th-highest mountain in the world.

The ACP said the expedition comprises 10 people, including five from Nepal, one from Pakistan, one from Oman, one from China, one from the United States, and another foreign climber whose nationality it did not disclose.

“The entire team has reportedly been out of communication since the avalanche,” the club said.

“Every possible effort is being made to ensure that helicopter support and all available rescue resources are mobilised at the earliest opportunity, subject to weather and operational conditions,” it added.

Purja, 43, also known as Nims Dai, has broken multiple climbing records since becoming a full-time mountaineer and tour guide in 2018, after leaving the British military.

He climbed all 14 “eight-thousanders” (peaks above 8,000 metres, or 26,000 feet) in six months and six days between April and October 2019, a record at the time.

In 2021, Purja completed the first winter ascent of K2 as part of a team of nine other Nepalese climbers.