- Renowned climber Nirmal Purja and five other Nepali mountaineers died in an avalanche while climbing Pakistan’s Broad Peak on July 30.
- The tragedy occurred between Camp II and III, claiming the lives of Pur Bahadur Gurung, Kili Pemba Sherpa, and three other experienced Sherpas.
- Search teams have recovered two bodies, while coordination with Pakistani authorities continues for the remaining climbers and repatriation efforts.
- Nepal’s government mourned the loss, calling it an irreparable blow to the nation’s mountaineering sector and global climbing community.
Kathmandu, Nepal: Nepal’s mountaineering community has been left in deep sorrow following the tragic death of renowned climber Nirmal Purja ‘Nimsdai’ and five other Nepali climbers in an avalanche on Pakistan’s Broad Peak.
The Government of Nepal has expressed profound grief over the loss, describing the deaths as an irreparable blow to the country’s mountaineering sector. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA), in a statement issued on Sunday, paid tribute to the fallen climbers and extended heartfelt condolences to their families, friends, and the wider climbing community.
The tragedy unfolded on Thursday, July 30 (Saun 14), when the expedition team was moving from Camp II toward Camp III of Broad Peak. The team, led by Nirmal Purja, was caught in an avalanche in one of the world’s most challenging high-altitude environments.
The Ministry said the accident claimed the lives of six Nepali climbers — Nirmal Purja ‘Nimsdai’, Pur Bahadur Gurung ‘Yukta’, Kili Pemba Sherpa ‘Kilu’, Nima Sherpa, Nawang Thindu Sherpa, and Gyalu Sherpa.
As news of the accident spread, search and rescue efforts were launched with the involvement of Pakistani authorities and Nepali expedition members. Rescue teams have since been working under extremely difficult Himalayan conditions to locate the missing climbers.
The bodies of Pur Bahadur Gurung and Gyalu Sherpa have been recovered, while efforts to find the remaining climbers are still underway, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The Embassy of Nepal in Pakistan is working closely with local authorities to facilitate the recovery and repatriation of the climbers’ mortal remains. The government has assured that necessary support and coordination will continue throughout the process.
The Broad Peak expedition included 10 climbers, including four foreign nationals — Nadhira Ahmed Abdullah Al Harthy from Oman, Sohail Sakhi from Pakistan, Wang Zhong from China, and Mallory Geis from the United States.
A Loss Beyond the Mountains
For Nepal, the death of Nimsdai represents the loss of one of its most celebrated mountaineers. Known around the world for his extraordinary determination and courage, Nirmal Purja inspired a new generation of climbers. He made history by climbing all 14 of the world’s peaks above 8,000 meters in record time, placing Nepal’s mountaineering achievements on the global stage.
But beyond records and achievements, the tragedy has brought attention to the human cost behind Himalayan expeditions. Every successful climb carries the dedication, sacrifice, and courage of climbers and their families, who often wait anxiously while their loved ones face some of the planet’s harshest conditions.
The other climbers who lost their lives were also experienced mountaineers who contributed significantly to Nepal’s climbing tradition. Their deaths have deeply affected the Sherpa community, fellow climbers, and thousands who follow Nepal’s Himalayan journeys.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the government stands with the families of the deceased climbers during this painful time and will continue coordinating with all concerned agencies to complete rescue and repatriation efforts.
The Broad Peak avalanche has once again highlighted both the extraordinary courage of Himalayan climbers and the unpredictable dangers they face while pursuing their passion among the world’s highest mountains.
