Mountaineering Legend Nirmal Purja Dies in Broad Peak Avalanche; Elite Exped Confirms Tragic Loss

World-record-holding Nepali mountaineer Nirmal "Nimsdai" Purja has died in an avalanche on Pakistan's Broad Peak (8,047m), his expedition company Elite Exped confirmed on Saturday.

Purja was among three Nepali climbers who lost their lives in the tragic avalanche. His trusted climbing companions, Purba Bahadur Gurung (Yukta) and Nima Sherpa, also died during the expedition.

In a statement shared on social media, Elite Exped expressed profound grief, describing Purja as an extraordinary leader who inspired millions through his courage, humility, and determination. The company said his legacy would continue to inspire future generations and extended heartfelt condolences to the families of all those who lost their lives.

The company also thanked the search and rescue teams for their efforts and requested the public to respect the privacy of the bereaved families. It added that no further comments would be made beyond information confirmed by the relevant authorities.

The bodies were located during a drone search near Camp 1 before ground rescuers successfully recovered and identified them despite challenging weather and terrain.

A former British Gurkha soldier, Purja achieved global recognition in 2019 after setting a world record by climbing all 14 of the world's 8,000-meter peaks in just 6 months and 6 days. His remarkable achievement was featured in the acclaimed Netflix documentary "14 Peaks: Nothing Is Impossible."