Nirmal Purja Among Climbers Feared Missing After Pakistan Avalanche

Nirmal Purja among climbers feared missing after Pakistan avalanche

A 10-member international mountaineering team led by renowned Nepal-born former Royal Marine Nirmal Purja is feared missing after an avalanche struck Broad Peak in Pakistan’s Karakoram mountain range. Purja, widely known as “Nims,” was leading the expedition when the team lost contact following the avalanche on the 8,051-metre mountain, one of the world’s highest peaks. Rescue teams have been deployed as authorities continue efforts to locate the missing climbers. The Alpine Club of Pakistan confirmed that an avalanche hit the area where the climbers were operating, with adverse weather conditions and the mountain’s difficult terrain making rescue operations challenging. Purja is one of the world’s most celebrated high-altitude climbers. He gained international recognition in 2019 after completing the ascent of all 14 mountains above 8,000 metres in a record-breaking 189 days, a feat documented in the Netflix film 14 Peaks: Nothing Is Impossible.

The former British Gurkha and Royal Marine has since become a prominent figure in global mountaineering, leading expeditions and supporting climbers attempting some of the world’s most dangerous peaks. Broad Peak, located on the Pakistan-China border, is considered one of the most technically demanding mountains in the Karakoram range due to its steep slopes, unpredictable weather and avalanche risks. Authorities and rescue teams remain focused on determining the status of the missing climbers as the search operation continues. The incident has again highlighted the dangers faced by even the most experienced mountaineers operating in high-altitude environments.