Body of climber Nirmal Purja, six others recovered after Pakistan avalanche | Environment News
Search Continues for Missing Climbers on Broad Peak After Avalanche
Published August 2, 2026
Rescue teams in Pakistan are continuing their search for the remains of three climbers following a tragic avalanche that claimed the lives of ten mountaineers on Broad Peak. Among the deceased is renowned Nepali-British climber Nirmal Purja, whose body was recovered from the site three days after the disaster.
The avalanche struck the 8,051-meter peak, the twelfth highest in the world, during midday on Thursday, trapping an international expedition in the challenging terrain of Pakistan’s Karakoram range. Seven climbers have been confirmed dead, while three others remain unaccounted for, including a Pakistani guide who had intended this trip to be his final one.
The expedition company Elite Exped confirmed Purja’s death on Saturday. The 43-year-old climber, also known as Nims Dai, was a former soldier in the Gurkha battalion of the British Army. He gained international fame in 2019 for his record-setting ascent of all 14 of the world’s 8,000-meter peaks within 189 days, a story later highlighted in a Netflix documentary.
Search crews initially located four bodies on Friday but could bring only three down from the mountain due to adverse weather conditions, which impeded helicopter operations. The identified climbers include Pur Bahadur Gurung, a Nepali known as Yukta; Omani mountaineer Nadhira Al Harthy; and American climber Mallory Geis.
On Sunday, ground teams successfully reached Purja and three others: Chinese climber Wang Zhong and Nepali climbers Nima Sherpa and Kili Pemba Sherpa. The search continues for the missing Sohail Sakhi and two additional climbers.
The challenging and remote terrain of Broad Peak has complicated the retrieval efforts, exacerbated by Pakistan’s limited long-line helicopter rescue capabilities compared to its neighbor Nepal.
The ten-member team comprised climbers from Nepal, Pakistan, Oman, the United States, and China, underscoring the international draw of Broad Peak, known for its demanding ascents.
Tributes have poured in from around the world. Nepal’s Prime Minister Balendra Shah recognized the climbers’ bravery and dedication, emphasizing their legacy as an inspiration despite their physical journey ending tragically. Elite Exped commemorated Purja as a leader who “inspired millions through his courage and humility.”
Purja’s remarkable achievements, including his role in the first winter ascent of the world’s second highest peak, K2, by an all-Nepali team, have cemented his status as one of the most recognized figures in mountaineering.
On Sunday, students and faculty at Small Heaven School in Nepal’s Chitwan district gathered to honor Purja, lighting candles and laying flowers at the site where he studied for eight years before joining the Gurkhas.
