Mountaineer Nirmal Purja dies in Pakistan avalanche

Renowned mountaineer Nirmal Purja has died in a tragic avalanche on Broad Peak in Pakistan. His company, Elite Expeditions, confirmed the loss on Saturday, stating, "In deep sorrow and with immense heartbreak, we confirm that Nirmal Purja has tragically lost his life following the avalanche on Broad Peak."

The avalanche struck a ten-person expedition on Thursday at an altitude of approximately 6,600 meters (21,650 feet) as the group ascended the 8,047-meter (26,390-foot) peak. Regional authorities reported that the bodies of three other climbers, an American, an Omani, and a Nepali, were recovered. Search efforts for any remaining missing members continued on Saturday after being halted the previous day due to difficult weather conditions.

Purja, 43, was known for his extraordinary mountaineering achievements. In 2019, he set a record by climbing all 14 eight-thousanders in just over six months. In 2021, he led a team of nine Nepalis in the first-ever winter ascent of K2. His latest ambitious project was to become the first person to twice climb all 14 of the world's eight-thousander peaks without supplemental oxygen.

Broad Peak, located in the Karakoram mountain range, is the world's twelfth-highest mountain. It was first summited by an Austrian expedition in 1957.

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In deep sorrow and with immense heartbreak, we confirm that Nirmal Purja has tragically lost his life following the avalanche on Broad Peak.