Renowned mountaineer Nirmal Purja, 9 others killed in Pakistan avalanche

The climbing world is mourning the tragic loss of Nirmal Purja, a celebrated mountaineer, and nine members of his expedition who perished in an avalanche on Pakistan's Broad Peak. The disaster struck Thursday as the team ascended to 6,600 meters on the 8,047-meter peak.

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With profound sadness and immense grief, we confirm that Nirmal Purja tragically lost his life following the avalanche on Broad Peak.

Purja, 43, was globally recognized for his 2019 feat of summiting all 14 mountains over 8,000 meters in just over six months, a record that captivated many. His journey from a modest background in Nepal to breaking climbing records and serving in the British army was documented in the Netflix film "14 Peaks: Nothing Is Impossible."

Elite Expeditions, Purja's company, confirmed the devastating news on social media, stating, "With profound sadness and immense grief, we confirm that Nirmal Purja tragically lost his life following the avalanche on Broad Peak." The company also confirmed the deaths of other expedition members.

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The physical journey of all the deceased climbers... has been interrupted, but the story of their bravery, dedication, and contributions will always remain inspiring.

Rescue teams began a second day of operations on Saturday, though efforts were hampered by difficult weather conditions the previous day. Regional authorities reported that the avalanche occurred while the climbers were en route to the summit. Initial data suggests the climbers were swept hundreds of meters down the mountain. The expedition included climbers from Nepal, Pakistan, Oman, the United States, and China.

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The geolocation data from their devices indicate that they were thrown hundreds of meters down the mountain.