Nirmal Purja, Nine Others Die in Broad Peak Avalanche

Nirmal “Nimsdai” Purja and nine other climbers died in the Broad Peak avalanche, according to statements from his expedition company and Nepalese Prime Minister Balen Shah.

Elite Exped confirmed Saturday that Purja died following the avalanche. The company said other members of the expedition also did not survive.

The company also confirmed the deaths of Purja’s climbing partners and guides Pur Bahadur Gurung, known as Yukta, and Nima Sherpa.

Prime Minister Balen Shah said the victims included six Nepali and four foreign climbers. He said the deaths occurred on Broad Peak, the 8,051-meter mountain in Pakistan’s Karakoram range.

Nirmal “Nimsdai” Purja and nine other climbers died in the Broad Peak avalanche. — Elite Exped and Prime Minister Balen Shah

Elite Exped described Purja as a leader who encouraged millions to test what they believed was possible. His work shaped Elite Exped, the Nimsdai Foundation, Skydive Nimsdai and the Nimsdai Store, the statement said.

The company thanked the search-and-rescue teams and asked the public to respect the victims’ families. It said it would make no further comment beyond information confirmed by authorities.

Shah described mountaineering as a test of courage, discipline, sacrifice and human limits. He said the climbers’ courage, dedication and contributions would continue to inspire others.

The avalanche struck a group of 10 summit-bound climbers Thursday below Lower Camp 3, at about 6,600 meters, according to earlier reports.

The Alpine Club of Pakistan initially placed the avalanche around midday, while ExplorersWeb reported that it occurred shortly before 9:30 a.m. local time.

Tracking devices showed rapid falls of hundreds of meters, according to ExplorersWeb. No further communication came from the team.

Karakorum Expeditions initially reported recovering four bodies but later corrected the count. The outfitter said rescuers found two bodies and part of another climber’s body.

Karakorum said the mistake happened because tents, backpacks and other equipment had also been swept down by the avalanche.

The Alpine Club had previously identified Gurung and Omani mountaineer Nadhira Al Harthy among the dead.

Purja had been attempting to climb all 14 mountains above 8,000 meters three times and complete two rounds without bottled oxygen, according to ExplorersWeb.