Legendary mountaineer Nirmal 'Nims Dai' Purja dies in Broad Peak avalanche

Legendary Nepal-born mountaineer Nirmal "Nims Dai" Purja, renowned for climbing all 14 of the world's 8,000-metre peaks in a record six months and six days, has died after an avalanche struck his expedition on Broad Peak in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).

Purja, 43, was confirmed dead on August 1 by his expedition company, Elite Exped, following a two-day search operation after an avalanche swept through the climbing team on the 8,047-metre peak on July 30.

"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 Exped said in a statement.

The company also confirmed the deaths of Purja's climbing partners and guides, Pur Bahadur Gurung, popularly known as "Yukta", and Nima Sherpa. Other members of the expedition were also killed in the avalanche.

Nepal Prime Minister Balendra Shah paid tribute to the climbers, describing mountaineering as a symbol of courage, discipline, sacrifice and the determination to push human limits. He expressed condolences to the bereaved families and said their legacy would continue to inspire future generations.

The avalanche struck while the expedition was climbing between Camp 2 and higher elevations on Broad Peak in the Karakoram range. Rescue efforts involving military helicopters and experienced Nepali climbers were hampered by poor weather and the risk of further avalanches.

Tracking data showed Purja at an altitude of around 6,660 metres shortly before the avalanche. His tracking device later recorded a sudden drop in elevation before the signal was lost.

Purja rose to global prominence in 2019 after completing all 14 peaks above 8,000 metres in just six months and six days under his "Project Possible" expedition, shattering the previous record of more than seven years. He later became the fastest climber to summit all 14 eight-thousanders without supplementary oxygen.

A former British Gurkha and Special Boat Service (SBS) soldier, Purja's extraordinary achievements were featured in the Netflix documentary 14 Peaks: Nothing Is Impossible. He also played a key role in the historic first winter ascent of K2 in 2021 and later founded Elite Exped and the Nimsdai Foundation to promote mountaineering and support high-altitude workers.

His death marks a significant loss to the global mountaineering community and to Nepal, where he was celebrated as one of the country's greatest climbing icons.