Nirmal Purja and Five Nepali Climbers Feared Missing in Avalanche on Pakistan’s Broad Peak

A group of 10 climbers, including renowned mountaineer Nirmal Purja, has gone missing following an avalanche during an ascent of Broad Peak in Pakistan. Born in Nepal and a former Royal Marine, Purja led this international mountaineering expedition.

According to Pakistani mountaineering officials, an avalanche struck Broad Peak, an 8,047-meter peak in the Karakoram mountain range, on Thursday afternoon. Since then, there has been no communication with the group. Alongside Purja, the team included one American, one Chinese, one Omani, and five Nepali climbers.

Karar Haidri, Vice President of the Alpine Club of Pakistan, stated, “We are coordinating with relevant authorities and, weather permitting, are preparing to conduct a helicopter rescue operation on Friday morning.” Broad Peak is considered one of the most challenging mountains to climb.

Purja gained international acclaim in 2019 when he summited all 14 peaks over 8,000 meters worldwide in approximately 6.5 months. He joined the British military in 2003, became a Royal Marine in 2009, and began his mountaineering journey in 2012 with a trek to Everest Base Camp.