Nirmal Purja, the Nepalese mountaineer and former member of the British Army and Royal Marines, has been confirmed dead after an avalanche struck an expedition on Broad Peak in Pakistan.
What happened on Broad Peak
Elite Exped, the company Mr Purja co-founded, said he was leading a team of 10 climbers on the north face of Broad Peak — the world’s 12th highest mountain — when the avalanche occurred at about midday on Thursday. Following subsequent search operations, the company confirmed his death and said other members of the expedition had also not survived.
“I was truly saddened to hear of the tragic death of Nirmal Purja and those who lost their lives in the avalanche on Broad Peak… His relentless pursuit of what seemed impossible, combined with his humility and selflessness, made him truly unique.”
The message above was posted by the Prince of Wales on social media on Saturday evening and was signed simply "W". In it he described Mr Purja as “one of the world’s greatest mountaineers” and expressed his sympathy for the families of those who died.
Official confirmation and immediate responses
In a statement shared on Instagram, Elite Exped said the company was “with profound sadness and immense heartbreak” to confirm Mr Purja’s death. It listed other expedition members who were confirmed killed, naming Pur Bahadur Gurung (Yukta) and Nima Sherpa among those lost. The company asked for privacy for the families affected.
Tributes from the wider outdoor and adventure community followed. The source material records a message from British adventurer Bear Grylls, describing the news as “heartbreaking” for climbers who knew Mr Purja.
- Where: Broad Peak, Pakistan (north of the country)
- When: Avalanche struck around midday on Thursday
- Confirmed by: Elite Exped (the company Purja co-founded)
Who was Nirmal Purja?
The available reporting identifies Mr Purja as a former member of the British Army and the Royal Marines who later gained international renown as a mountaineer. He was widely credited with raising the profile of Nepalese climbers on the world stage and was celebrated for taking on exceptionally challenging high-altitude objectives.
| Person | Status (per Elite Exped) |
|---|---|
| Nirmal Purja | Confirmed dead |
| Pur Bahadur Gurung (Yukta) | Confirmed dead |
| Nima Sherpa | Confirmed dead |
Details remain limited in the immediate aftermath; Elite Exped asked that the privacy of the families of the victims be respected as they grieve. Local and international rescue teams were involved in initial search efforts on the mountain.
As the story develops, further information about the identities of other climbers involved, the circumstances of the avalanche and any official statements from Pakistani authorities or international climbing organisations may follow. For St Helens readers, this loss is a reminder of the risks faced by those who pursue high-altitude mountaineering and the global community that mourns when it loses one of its most prominent figures.
