Nirmal Purja dies in Pakistan avalanche
Nirmal Purja, the mountaineer who scaled the world's 14 highest peaks in record time, is confirmed dead in a Pakistan avalanche.
The update
British-Nepali mountaineer Nirmal Purja is among 10 people killed in an avalanche on Broad Peak in Pakistan, his company Elite Expeditions confirmed. Pakistani officials have recovered the bodies of three expedition members: American Mallory Geis, Omani Nadhira Ahmed Abdullah Al Harthy, and Nepalese Pur Bahadur Gurung. Nepal’s Prime Minister Balendra Shah acknowledged the tragedy, noting the loss of six Nepalese and four other foreign climbers.
Why it matters
Purja, who served in the British Army, became internationally known for scaling the world’s 14 highest peaks in just over six months in 2019. His story was documented in a Netflix series. His death marks a somber moment for the mountaineering community, highlighting the extreme risks associated with high-altitude expeditions in the Karakoram range.
What to watch
Rescue operations are ongoing to recover the remaining bodies. The Pakistan Alpine Club and international teams are coordinating the search. The exact cause of the avalanche and the specific circumstances of the incident are under investigation.
Sources
- bbc.co.uk — Confirmation of death, details on the avalanche, and statements from officials and family.
- nytimes.com — Confirmation of the death and the number of climbers involved.