Renowned Climber Nirmal Purja Feared Missing After Pakistan Avalanche

Renowned climber Nirmal Purja feared missing after Pakistan avalanche World-renowned mountaineer Nirmal Purja is among a group of climbers feared missing after an avalanche struck Broad Peak in northern Pakistan, according to the Alpine Club of Pakistan, prompting a major search-and-rescue operation in the Karakoram mountain range. The avalanche occurred on Broad Peak, the world’s 12th-highest mountain at 8,051 metres, where Purja was leading an international expedition. Authorities said 10 climbers from several countries lost contact after the avalanche, with rescue teams later locating four bodies while the search for the remaining climbers continued. Pakistan Army Aviation helicopters and ground rescue teams have been deployed to the remote high-altitude area, although difficult terrain and adverse weather conditions have complicated the operation. Officials said the missing climbers were last tracked at an altitude of about 6,600 metres before communications were lost. Purja, a Nepal-born British mountaineer popularly known as “Nims,” is regarded as one of the world’s most accomplished climbers. He gained international recognition after climbing all 14 of the world’s peaks above 8,000 metres in a record 189 days, an achievement featured in the Netflix documentary 14 Peaks: Nothing Is Impossible. The Alpine Club of Pakistan said rescue efforts remain ongoing as authorities work to establish the fate of the missing climbers. Officials from Nepal, China and other countries whose nationals were part of the expedition are also coordinating with Pakistani authorities as the search continues.The incident has renewed concerns over the dangers of high-altitude climbing in Pakistan’s Karakoram range, where unstable weather, heavy snowfall and avalanche risks pose significant threats even to the world’s most experienced mountaineers.