Gilgit-baltistan: A renowned Nepalese mountaineer died in an avalanche in Pakistan. Nirmal Purja, a renowned Nepalese mountaineer who holds the record for the fastest ascent of all 14 of the world's highest peaks, died along with nine teammates in an avalanche during an expedition to Broad Peak in Pakistan.
According to Thai News Agency, Elite Exped, the tour company that Nirmal Purja led, posted on Instagram on Saturday (August 1) that: "We are deeply saddened and grieved to confirm that Nirmal 'Nimsdai' Purja tragically died in an avalanche on Broad Peak. It has also been confirmed that other members of his expedition perished in the incident. The group consisted of six Nepalese (including Purja) and four international climbers from the United States, China, Oman, and Pakistan."
Purja and nine other climbers have been missing since Thursday (July 30) after being killed in an avalanche while ascending Broad Peak, the 8,051-meter (26,414-foot) highest mountain in the world, located in the Gilgit-Baltistan region of northern Pakistan. The climb is one of the most technically difficult routes to ascend. Rescue workers and the Pakistani army have located all the bodies using drones and GPS signals; however, retrieving the bodies is extremely difficult due to volatile weather conditions and dangerous terrain.
Nirmal Purja, or "Nimsdai," 43, was a former British Special Forces soldier who made history in mountaineering. In 2019, he set a world record by conquering all 14 peaks over 8,000 meters in the world in the fastest time, completing them in just 6 months and 6 days. He gained global fame through the Netflix documentary "14 Peaks: Nothing Is Impossible." During his attempt to climb Broad Peak, Purja aimed to make history again by becoming the first person to conquer all 14 peaks a second time without using oxygen tanks, before tragically dying in an accident.