Nims Purja Himalayan Expedition Turns Tragic: Avalanche Claims Lives in Pakistan
Nirmal Purja, a world-renowned mountaineer who just completed his 57th climb of an 8,000-meter peak, is among the ten climbers still missing in Pakistan after a massive snow avalanche hit Broad Peak. Four bodies have been recovered so far. Search efforts are continuing in high-altitude, difficult conditions.
The latest information on what happened and who was involved is available.
What happened on Broad Peak
According to the Alpine Club of Pakistan, the avalanche hit around midday Thursday and struck an international expedition team while they were climbing from Camp II up to Camp III at the 8,047-meter peak. Purja led a group of ten climbers, including five Nepali climbers, two Pakistani guides at high altitude, and climbers in Oman, China, and the United States.
The GPS trackers of climbers show an alarming pattern. They stop ascending at 9:30 am Pakistan time, before falling hundreds of meters. This is consistent with the group being caught in a slide. The team lost all communication immediately after the avalanche.
Who is involved?
Missing and affected climbers include
- Nirmal Purja, leader of Elite Exped
- Sohail Sakhi, a Pakistani guide hailing from Hunza
- Mallory Geis, an American client among those confirmed to be dead
- Nadhira al Harthy, the first Omani female to summit Everest and also confirmed dead
- Wang (Zhong), Chinese climber
- Many Nepali high-altitude workers, including Gelu Sherpa and Nawang Thindu, Kili Pemba Sherpa and Nima.
- Pur Bahadur “Yukta” Gurung, Nepali climber, confirmed dead
Four bodies, including Al Harthy and Geis, have been identified and recovered as of the most recent update. Purja, along with several other people, remain unaccounted for.
The GPS tracker is a small sign of hope.
Rescuers have cautiously hoped despite the grim news. Mingma Gyabu Sherpa of Elite Exped said Purja’s GPS tracker continued to show movement after the avalanche, and the recorded location changed over time, even though he is still missing and out of contact. Rescue teams haven’t confirmed the meaning of this movement, so it should only be viewed as a hopeful, unconfirmed sign, rather than a verified proof.
Who is Nims Purja?
Nirmal Purja is a well-known mountaineer, known as “Nimsdai.” He has a nickname that is widely recognized. A former British Gurkha soldier and Special Forces soldier, Nirmal Purja became a full-time mountaineer in 2018. He shot to fame after climbing the fourteen 8,000-meter peaks of the world in six months and six days between April and October 2019. This was a record-breaking achievement which had taken climbers many years to achieve.
In 2021, the Netflix documentary 14 Peaks – Nothing Is Impossible chronicled his story and introduced him to audiences far beyond the climbing community. Purja was in his “Hat-Trick Project”, an attempt to summit all fourteen 8,000-meter-peaks three times. Purja had just a few days before, on July 22, summited Gasherbrum II, his 57th successful climb of an 8,000-meter peak. He was one peak short of completing this goal.
Purja’s career also includes controversy in the past, including sexual assault allegations raised in previous reports, along with his record-setting accomplishments and philanthropic support for the mountaineering world.
Rescue Efforts Are Underway
Alpine Club of Pakistan said that helicopter support and all rescue resources were being mobilized. However, efforts have been complicated due to poor weather conditions and Broad Peak’s remote location, which limited communication at times and made helicopter access difficult. Overland rescue efforts were used to bring some climbers who were swept away in the avalanche back to base camp.
The Pakistani Ministry of Foreign Affairs has said that it is closely watching the situation. Nepal’s Embassy in Islamabad coordinates directly with Pakistani officials. China’s Foreign Ministry has also stated that it is verifying details and has offered to assist.
Why Broad Peak is so Dangerous
Broad Peak is one of Pakistan’s five peaks over 8,000 meters in a remote region, despite the recent increase in interest in Karakoram Expeditions. There is limited infrastructure in the area for emergency helicopter rescue or communication, making it difficult to respond when accidents happen during the short summer climbing period.
Frequently Asked Questions
Has Nims Purja been confirmed dead?
No. According to the latest reports, he is still missing. His GPS tracker continues to show movement. However, this hasn’t been confirmed.
How many climbers were affected?
The avalanche caught ten climbers. So far, four bodies have been identified.
What time did the avalanche occur?
Broad Peak was hit by an avalanche around noon on Thursday, July 30th, 2026, as the team was climbing from Camp II up to Camp III.
Who is confirmed dead?
The names of Nadhira al Harthy from Oman, Mallory Geis from the United States, and Pur Bahadur Gurung of Nepal are confirmed as among the dead.
Nims Purja is known for what?
The Netflix documentary, 14 Peaks: Nothing Is Impossible, featured him as he holds the record for climbing all fourteen 8,000-meter peaks within the fastest recorded time.
Is the rescue effort still on?
Search and rescue operations are still ongoing, despite the difficult terrain and weather conditions.
Final Thoughts
Purja and other climbers who are missing continue to be the focus of intense search efforts. USA Times Square will provide updates as new information becomes available.
