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New Delhi : The body of legendary Nepalese mountaineer Nirmal “Nims Dai” Purja has been recovered from Broad Peak, three days after a devastating avalanche struck an international expedition in Pakistan’s Karakoram range. The avalanche, which occurred at an altitude of around 5,700 metres, claimed the lives of all ten members of the climbing team.
The Alpine Club of Pakistan confirmed that ground rescue teams reached Purja’s location and recovered his body along with those of three other climbers. With helicopters unable to operate due to poor weather, steep terrain, and continued avalanche risk, rescuers are carrying the bodies on foot to the Japanese Camp under extremely dangerous conditions.
In a statement shared on social media, the Alpine Club said the rescue team had reached Purja at approximately 5,700 metres on Broad Peak, describing it as a mountain he deeply loved and one that ultimately claimed his life.
Authorities said the bodies of Purja, two Nepalese climbers, and a Chinese mountaineer are currently being transported down the mountain. Another body has been located at a much higher elevation, but officials stated that recovery is not currently possible because of the hazardous conditions.
Purja had been leading a ten-member international expedition that included climbers from Nepal, the United States, Oman, China, and Pakistan. Earlier in the rescue operation, the remains of Omani climber Nadhira Ahmed Abdullah Al Harthy, American mountaineer Mallory Geis, and Nepal’s Pur Bahadur Gurung were recovered and airlifted to Skardu. On Saturday, Purja’s expedition company, Elite Exped, confirmed that none of the team members had survived the avalanche.
Born in Dana village in Nepal’s Myagdi district, Purja was a former Gurkha soldier who later became one of the world’s most celebrated high-altitude climbers. He earned global recognition in 2019 after completing all 14 of the world’s 8,000-metre peaks in a record 189 days, a remarkable feat featured in the Netflix documentary 14 Peaks: Nothing Is Impossible. His achievements and relentless pursuit of excellence left an enduring mark on the global mountaineering community.
