Nirmal Purja, the world-renowned Nepali mountaineer known for record-breaking climbs, has been killed in an avalanche on Broad Peak in Pakistan, according to his climbing company. He was among 11 climbers confirmed dead.
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Key facts
- Nirmal Purja was killed in an avalanche on Pakistan's Broad Peak, his company says.
- He was leading an expedition of 10 other people when the avalanche struck at around noon on Thursday.
- A total of 11 climbers have been confirmed dead.
- The team included climbers from around the world, including the US.
- Purja set a record in 2019 by scaling the world's 14 highest peaks in just over six months.
Nirmal Purja, one of the world’s most celebrated mountaineers, has been killed in an avalanche on Broad Peak in Pakistan, according to his climbing company. The Nepali-born climber and former UK Special Forces member died while leading an expedition on the world’s 12th-highest mountain.
According to the Guardian, Purja was among 11 climbers caught in the deadly avalanche, which struck at around noon on Thursday. He had been leading an expedition of 10 other people when the disaster occurred. The Guardian reported that other members of the expedition led by Purja also died, according to his climbing company.
The team involved climbers from around the world. NPR reported that the mountaineering team included climbers from several countries, including the United States, and had been attempting to climb one of the tallest peaks on earth.
Purja was widely known for his record-breaking achievement in 2019, when he scaled the world’s 14 highest peaks in just over six months, according to the BBC.
Before his mountaineering career, Purja served in the UK Special Forces, according to the Guardian.
Broad Peak, where the avalanche occurred, stands as the 12th-highest mountain on earth. The full circumstances of the incident and the identities of all those who died had not been detailed in the sources available at the time of reporting.
Why it matters
Nirmal Purja was among the most recognised figures in modern mountaineering, and his death underscores the extreme dangers faced by climbers on the world's highest peaks. The loss of 11 climbers in a single avalanche highlights the risks confronting international expeditions in Pakistan's mountains.
Frequently asked questions
How did Nirmal Purja die?
According to his climbing company, Purja was killed in an avalanche on Pakistan's Broad Peak, which struck at around noon on Thursday while he was leading an expedition of 10 other people.
How many people died in the avalanche?
A total of 11 climbers have been confirmed dead, according to the Guardian.
What was Nirmal Purja famous for?
He was known for scaling the world's 14 highest peaks in just over six months in 2019, according to the BBC. He was also a former UK Special Forces member.
Timeline
- Avalanche in Pakistan kills famed mountaineer Nirmal Purja and his fellow climbers
NPR News: A mountaineering team with climbers from around the world, including the U.S., was attempting to climb one of the tallest peaks on earth.
- Top mountaineer Nirmal Purja confirmed dead after 11 hit by avalanche in Pakistan
The Guardian World: Other members of expedition led by world-renowned climber on Broad Peak have also died, climbing company says A world-renowned Nepali mountaineer and former UK Special Forces member has died after being among 11 climbers caught in a deadly avalanche on Pakistan’s Broad Peak. Nirm
- Top mountaineer Nirmal Purja among 11 confirmed dead after avalanche in Pakistan
The Guardian World: World-renowned climber had been leading expedition on Broad Peak when avalanche struck A world-renowned Nepali mountaineer and former UK Special Forces member has died after being among 11 climbers caught in a deadly avalanche on Pakistan’s Broad Peak. Nirmal Purja was killed lea
- Mountaineer Nirmal Purja killed in Pakistan avalanche, his company says
BBC World: The Nepali-born climber was known for scaling the world's 14 highest peaks in just over six months in 2019.