Nirmal Purja Dies in Pakistan Avalanche, Elite Exped Confirms

Renowned Nepali-British climber Nirmal Purja has died in an avalanche on Pakistan's Broad Peak, according to a statement from Elite Exped, the expedition company he co-owned. A formal government confirmation is still awaited.

What Happened On Broad Peak

Purja was part of an expedition on Broad Peak when an avalanche struck the team on July 30, 2026. Since the incident, there has been no contact with the climbers, according to Pakistani mountaineering authorities.

Elite Exped Confirms His Death

Elite Exped, the firm owned by Purja along with mountaineers Mingma David Sherpa and Tejan (TJ) Gurung, confirmed the news of his death in a statement posted on Instagram.

"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. We have also received confirmation that other members of the expedition sadly did not survive," the statement read. Who Is Nirmal Purja aka Nimsdai? Netflix’s ‘14 Peaks’ Star Among 10 Feared Missing After Pakistan Avalanche.

Elite Exped Confirms Death Of Renowned Nepali-British Mountaineer

It added that the world had lost one of mountaineering's greatest climbers, a leader who inspired millions through his courage, humility, and belief that human potential is far greater than often imagined, and that beyond his achievements, he wanted to show what was possible when people dared to dream bigger and refused to accept limitations. Nepalese Climber Nirmal Purja Sets New Record in Mountaineering by Scaling World’s 14 Highest Peaks in 190 Days.

Who Was Nirmal Purja

Widely known as Nims Dai, the 43-year-old Nepal-born Purja was a former British Army soldier who made global headlines in 2019 after climbing the world's 14 highest peaks in just 189 days, setting a record at the time. His feat was showcased in the Netflix documentary "14 Peaks: Nothing Is Impossible." The record was later broken in 2023.

In 2021, Purja was among a team of 10 Nepali climbers who completed the first successful winter ascent of K2.

Before becoming a full-time mountaineer, Purja served in Britain's Brigade of Gurkhas before joining the Royal Marines' Special Boat Squadron. Former Nepal Mountaineering Association president Ang Tshering Sherpa described Purja as one of the best climbers in the world, noting that he had climbed eight-thousanders for most of his career.

Purja was born on July 25, 1983, in Myagdi district of Gandaki Province and grew up in Chitwan. He began his military career in 2003 and served for 16 years, including six years with the Gurkhas and 10 years with the United Kingdom Special Forces.

Broad Peak: One Of The World's Toughest Climbs

The climbers had gone missing after a powerful avalanche struck Pakistan's Broad Peak, one of the world's highest mountains. The group comprised six Nepali climbers, along with one climber each from Pakistan, Oman, the United States, and China. They went missing around 9 am on Thursday after the avalanche.

Broad Peak rises to 8,051 metres and is situated in Pakistan's Karakoram range near K2. Ranked as the world's 12th-highest mountain, it is regarded as one of the toughest peaks for mountaineers. Pakistan's summer climbing season, which runs from June to August, is often marked by avalanches and rapidly changing weather conditions, making expeditions particularly hazardous.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 01, 2026 06:45 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).