Source NDTV
ISLAMABAD / KATHMANDU — Celebrated Nepali-British mountaineer Nirmal “Nims” Purja, who achieved global acclaim by scaling all 14 of the world’s 8,000-metre peaks in a record six months and six days, has died following a massive avalanche on Broad Peak. He was 43.
The tragic news was confirmed by his expedition agency, Elite Exped, ending a multi-day search and rescue operation in the high-altitude Karakoram range.
The Fatal Avalanche on Broad Peak
The disaster unfolded between Camp 2 and higher elevations on Broad Peak—the world’s 12th-highest mountain standing at 8,051 metres (26,414 feet). Purja was leading an international team of climbers when a large slab avalanche struck near the 7,000-metre mark.
Search operations involving high-altitude rescue teams and military helicopters were severely hampered by extreme weather, poor visibility, and ongoing avalanche threats. Emergency tracking data showed a sudden drop in altitude before Purja’s location signal was cut off entirely.
“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 announced in an official statement.
The company also confirmed the loss of several fellow team members and guides, including veteran Nepali climbers Pur Bahadur Gurung (“Yukta”) and Nima Sherpa.
A Historic Climbing Legacy
Purja, a former British Gurkha and UK Special Boat Service (SBS) commando, redefined modern high-altitude mountaineering:
Project Possible (2019): Shattered the previous world record of seven-plus years by scaling all fourteen 8,000-metre peaks in just 189 days—a feat chronicled in the Netflix documentary 14 Peaks: Nothing Is Impossible.
Historic K2 Winter Ascent (2021): Co-led the first-ever successful winter summit of K2, long considered one of mountaineering’s greatest unsolved challenges.
No-Oxygen Mission: At the time of the fatal expedition, Purja was attempting to become the first person in history to scale all fourteen 8,000-metre peaks twice without supplementary oxygen.
Global Tributes Pour In
News of Purja’s death triggered widespread grief across the international climbing community. Tributes poured in from world leaders, high-altitude guides, and fans worldwide, honoring his bravery, charity work, and relentless efforts to bring recognition to Nepali climbers and Sherpas.
In a chilling final message posted to social media prior to entering the high camps, Purja wrote:
“Broad Peak, I ask for nothing but safe passage up and back down. I take zero mountains for granted. Not one.”
