“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 said.

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

In a subsequent statement, Elite Exped paid tribute to Purja and two of his trusted Nepalese guides whose deaths it confirmed.

“Today, we mourn not only Nims, but every life lost in this tragedy including his trusted climbing partners and guides, Pur Bahadur Gurung (Yukta) and Nima Sherpa. Our deepest thoughts, prayers and heartfelt condolences are with their families, friends and loved ones. No words can ease the pain of this unimaginable loss, and we ask that everyone respects their privacy as they grieve.”

International expedition caught in avalanche

According to news agency Reuters, the 10-member expedition included six climbers from Nepal and four others from Pakistan, Oman, the United States and China. Rescue teams had searched for the group for two days after contact was lost, but deteriorating weather and the scale of the avalanche hampered operations.

Pakistani authorities had earlier confirmed the deaths of Omani climber Nadhira Ahmed Abdullah Al Harthy, American climber Mallory Geis and Nepalese climber Pur Bahadur Gurung after their bodies were recovered. Elite Exped’s latest statement indicates that none of the remaining members of the expedition survived.

Who was Nims Purja?

Purja, popularly known as “Nimsdai”, was regarded as one of the greatest high-altitude climbers of his generation.

A former British Gurkha and member of the UK’s Special Boat Service, he shot to international fame after completing his “Project Possible” challenge by climbing all 14 mountains above 8,000 metres in just six months in 2019, shattering the previous record of more than seven years. His feat was documented in the 2021 Netflix film 14 Peaks: Nothing Is Impossible.

Over the years, Purja led numerous commercial expeditions through Elite Exped and was credited with helping rescue stranded climbers on Everest and other Himalayan peaks. He had recently announced plans to continue pursuing new mountaineering records after Broad Peak.

One of the deadliest climbing disasters in recent years

Broad Peak, located about 8 kilometres from K2 in the Karakoram range, is among the world’s most dangerous mountains because of its steep slopes, rapidly changing weather and high avalanche risk.

The tragedy marks one of the deadliest mountaineering disasters in the Karakoram in recent years and has sent shockwaves through the global climbing community, with tributes pouring in for Purja, widely admired for pushing the limits of high-altitude mountaineering while inspiring a new generation of climbers.

(With inputs from agencies)