Nirmal 'Nims' Purja, the celebrated Nepalese mountaineer, has been confirmed dead after an avalanche struck an expedition on Broad Peak in Pakistan's Karakoram range. At least four climbers, including Purja and Nadhira Al Harthy, have been confirmed dead, and six others remain the subject of ongoing rescue efforts. Rescuers warn that continued avalanche risk and treacherous terrain make survival and recovery extremely difficult. Purja was renowned for summiting all 14 Eight Thousanders in just over six months in 2019 and for promoting recognition of Sherpa climbers.
Nirmal 'Nims' Purja Confirmed Dead After Devastating Avalanche on Broad Peak — Rescue Efforts Under Way
Nirmal Purja, a world-famous mountaineer who pledged to spotlight Nepal's Sherpa community, was confirmed killed on Saturday after a deadly avalanche in Pakistan. - Prabin Ranabhat/Pacific Press/Sipa USA/AP
Nirmal Purja, the internationally renowned Nepalese mountaineer known as 'Nims', has been confirmed dead after an avalanche struck an expedition on Broad Peak in Pakistan's Karakoram range earlier this week.
The Nimsdai Foundation, which Purja founded in 2022, posted on Instagram that Purja 'tragically lost his life' in the landslide and mourned 'every life lost in this tragedy including his trusted climbing partners and guides.' The foundation added that his legacy will live on in the many people he inspired.
Purja, 43, was part of a ten-person expedition believed to be on Broad Peak (8,047 meters) when the landslide struck around midday local time. At least four people have been confirmed dead: Nirmal Purja; Omani climber Nadhira Al Harthy; Nepali climber Pur Bahadur Gurung, known as 'Yukta'; and US climber Sarah Mallory Geis. The foundation said other expedition members 'sadly did not survive' but did not provide further details, and authorities have not yet released a full casualty list.
Search-and-rescue teams continue to focus on six remaining climbers. Rescue workers warned that the operation is perilous: teams face unstable slopes and the high likelihood of further avalanches that could hinder recovery efforts.
'The remaining climbers' chances of survival are very slim now,' Naila Kiani, a spokesperson for the Pakistan Alpine Club, told the BBC, stressing that Pakistani mountains present different and extreme avalanche hazards compared with Nepal.
Purja, a former British Army soldier, rose to global prominence in 2019 when he summited all 14 of the world's peaks above 8,000 meters — the so-called Eight Thousanders — in just over six months. He used his platform to highlight the skill and contributions of Nepal's Sherpa community and to expand recognition for high-altitude climbers from Nepal.
Nadhira Al Harthy, one of the climbers confirmed dead, had championed endurance sports for Muslim women and girls and publicly described climbing as a source of spiritual strength and empowerment.
Authorities and mountain teams remain engaged in search, recovery and safety assessments amid ongoing avalanche risk in the Karakoram. International and local teams are coordinating efforts, but rescue conditions remain extremely hazardous.
Reporting contributions by CNN correspondents were included in early accounts of the incident.
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