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Top mountaineer Nirmal Purja among 11 confirmed dead after avalanche in Pakistan

From The Guardian · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Outcome reported
  • Renowned Nepali mountaineer Nirmal Purja and 10 other climbers died in an avalanche on Pakistan's Broad Peak.
  • Purja, a former UK Special Forces member, was leading an expedition on the 12th-highest mountain when the avalanche struck.
  • The expedition included climbers from Nepal, the US, Pakistan, Oman, and China, with rescuers working to recover the bodies amid harsh conditions.

World-renowned Nepali mountaineer Nirmal Purja, a former member of the UK Special Forces, is among 11 climbers confirmed dead after a devastating avalanche on Pakistan's Broad Peak. The incident occurred around noon on Thursday while Purja was leading an expedition of 10 others on the world's 12th-highest mountain.

Today it is with profound sadness and immense heartbreak that we confirm that Nirmal ‘Nimsdai’ Purja tragically lost his life following the avalanche on Broad Peak.

— Elite ExpedCompany statement confirming the death of Nirmal Purja.

Elite Exped, the company co-founded by Purja, confirmed the tragic loss in a statement expressing profound sadness. The company also verified that other members of the expedition, including climbing partners and guides Pur Bahadur Gurung and Nima Sherpa, did not survive. The expedition team comprised five Nepali climbers, along with nationals from the US, Pakistan, Oman, and China, and another foreign climber.

We have also received confirmation that other members of the expedition sadly did not survive.

— Elite ExpedCompany statement confirming the deaths of other expedition members.

Purja was celebrated for his historic achievement in 2019, climbing all 14 of the world's peaks over 8,000 meters in just over six months. He also led the first team to summit K2 in winter. Reflecting on his past achievements, Purja once stated, "Records are made to be broken... People are only limited by their imagination. If you don’t dream then you won’t do it. Human beings are capable of doing amazing things."

Records are made to be broken... People are only limited by their imagination. If you don’t dream then you won’t do it. Human beings are capable of doing amazing things.

— Nirmal PurjaQuote from a 2019 interview reflecting on his achievements and human potential.

Rescuers had reported finding four bodies on Friday, with efforts to retrieve them hampered by severe weather. Among the identified victims were Nadhira Alharthy, the first Omani to climb Everest, and US climber Mallory Geis. Tracking data indicated a rapid loss of altitude for the climbers, suggesting they were caught in the avalanche near Camp 2 at an elevation of approximately 6,579 meters (21,585 feet).

Our deepest thoughts, prayers and heartfelt condolences are with their families, friends and loved ones.

— Elite ExpedExpressing sympathy for the families of the victims.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by The Guardian. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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