Record-holding mountaineer Nirmal Purja killed in Pakistan avalanche

Renowned Nepali mountaineer Nirmal Purja, who held the record for the fastest ascent of the world's 14 highest peaks, has died after being swept away by an avalanche during an expedition in Pakistan. Elite Exped, a travel organizer, confirmed the tragic news on Saturday.

"With deep sadness and immense pain, we confirm that Nirmal 'Nimsdai' Purja tragically lost his life following an avalanche on the summit of Broad Peak," the company stated in an Instagram post. They also confirmed that other members of the expedition did not survive.

Purja, 43, had been among ten mountaineers reported missing since Thursday. The avalanche struck on Broad Peak, a treacherous 8,051-meter summit ranked as the world's 12th highest and known for its technical difficulty. Reports indicate that all ten expedition members were caught in the snowslide on Thursday afternoon. The group included six Nepali climbers, as well as nationals from Pakistan, Oman, the United States, and China.

A former Gurkha soldier in the British special forces, Nirmal Purja made history in 2019 by summiting all 14 eight-thousander mountains in a remarkable six months and six days, setting a new world record. His achievement garnered international acclaim, further amplified by the 2021 Netflix documentary "14 Peaks: Nothing Is Impossible," which chronicled his extraordinary challenge and journey.

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With deep sadness and immense pain, we confirm that Nirmal “Nimsdai” Purja tragically lost his life following an avalanche on the summit of Broad Peak