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Body of deceased mountaineer and Netflix star Nirmal Purja recovered

From VRT NWS · () Dutch

Translated from Dutch, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Outcome reported
  • The body of renowned Nepalese mountaineer Nirmal Purja has been recovered from Broad Peak after he died in an avalanche.
  • Purja, famous for his "14 Peaks: Nothing Is Impossible" Netflix series, was attempting to climb the 8,051-meter peak for the second time.
  • Three other expedition members also perished in the avalanche, and their bodies are being recovered, though further recovery efforts are unlikely due to dangerous terrain and weather.

The body of celebrated Nepalese mountaineer Nirmal Purja has been recovered from Broad Peak, the world's second-highest mountain, following his death in an avalanche. Purja, widely known for his role in the Netflix series "14 Peaks: Nothing Is Impossible," was on his second attempt to summit the 8,051-meter peak.

My dear brothers Kilu, Wang, and Nims, we will bring you back to your families...

— A sherpa involved in the recovery operationExpressing the emotional toll and commitment of the recovery team.

His company, Elite Exped, confirmed his demise on Thursday. The recovery operation, involving sherpas, has located Purja's remains at an altitude of 5,700 meters. The Alpine Club of Pakistan (ACP) noted that "he loved this mountain, and it has now taken him from us."

In addition to Purja, three other members of his expedition team, two Nepalese and one Chinese national, also died in the avalanche. Their bodies are being brought down alongside Purja's. Earlier, the bodies of an Omani, a Nepalese, and an American team member had been recovered.

He loved this mountain, and it has now taken him from us.

— Alpine Club of Pakistan (ACP)Reflecting on Nirmal Purja's relationship with the mountain where he died.

Ayaz Shigri, president of the ACP, stated that another body was located at a significantly higher altitude. However, he deemed a recovery attempt unlikely due to the extremely dangerous terrain and current weather conditions. The entire 10-member expedition team perished in the avalanche.

But given the extremely dangerous terrain and the current weather conditions, it is unlikely that a recovery attempt will be undertaken now.

— Ayaz ShigriChairman of the ACP explaining the challenges of recovering another body located at a higher altitude.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by VRT NWS in Dutch. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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