Rescuers recover body of renowned climber Nirmal Purja killed in Pakistan avalanche

Rescuers have recovered the body of celebrated climber Nirmal Purja, who perished along with nine members of his expedition in a devastating avalanche on Pakistan's Broad Peak. The Alpine Club of Pakistan announced on Sunday that the ground rescue team reached Purja, known as "Nims Dai," at approximately 5,700 meters on the mountain he loved.

The avalanche occurred on Thursday, severing communication with the 10-person international team. Purja's expedition company confirmed on Saturday that no team members had survived the disaster. Regional authorities reported that the remains of three climbers, an Omani woman, a Nepali man, and an American woman, were recovered and transported to Skardu on Friday. A Chinese national and several other Nepali citizens were also part of the expedition.

The high-altitude rescue operation faced significant challenges due to adverse weather conditions. Ayaz Shigri, the general secretary of the Alpine Club, confirmed to AFP that Purja's body and those of three others had been recovered. The mountaineering community, particularly in Nepal, has been plunged into shock and grief, with condolences extending from leaders like Britain's Prince William to the families of the victims.

Nirmal Purja, a 43-year-old British-Nepali climber, was famous for his "Project Possible" in 2019, during which he climbed all 14 of the world's eight-thousander mountains in just over six months, shattering the previous record. His death marks a tragic end to a career defined by pushing the limits of human endurance and achievement in the world's most formidable mountain ranges.

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The ground rescue team has reached Nims Dai (Purja) at approximately 5,700m on Broad Peak - a mountain he loved, and a mountain that has now taken him from us.