ISLAMABAD/KATHMANDU: The international mountaineering community is mourning the loss of veteran Nepalese climber Nirmal Purja, who tragically died in a massive avalanche on Broad Peak in Pakistan on Thursday, July 30, 2026.
Purja, 43, a former UK Special Forces and Gurkha member, was leading an expedition of 10 other people when the avalanche struck the world’s 12th-highest mountain at an altitude of approximately 7,000 meters. The climbing company he co-founded,
Authorities Confirm Nirmal Purja’s Death
Elite Exped, confirmed the deaths on Saturday, August 1, 2026, stating: “Today it is with profound sadness and immense heartbreak that we confirm that Nirmal ‘Nimsdai’ Purja tragically lost his life following the avalanche on Broad Peak”.
The company also confirmed that other expedition members did not survive the incident. The ill-fated group included five Nepali climbers, along with nationals from the US, Pakistan, Oman, and China, according to the Alpine Club of Pakistan.
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Purja was a legendary figure in modern mountaineering. He achieved global fame in 2019 after summitting all 14 of the world’s 8,000-meter peaks in a record-breaking 189 days (just over six months). He further cemented his legacy by later leading the first team to successfully summit K2 in the winter.