Nirmal Purja, the renowned Nepalese mountaineer who set a record by summiting 14 peaks above 8,000 meters in under 7 months, has died along with his team after facing an avalanche on a mountain in Pakistan.
Foreign news agencies reported on 1 Aug 2026 that Nirmal Purja, the famous Nepalese-British mountaineer aged 43, along with nine other expedition members, died following an avalanche during an expedition on Broad Peak in Pakistan.
Purja's company, Elite Expeditions, confirmed the news, stating, “It is with great sadness and heartbreak that we confirm Nirmal Purja’s tragic death following an avalanche on Broad Peak. We have also confirmed that no other team members survived.”
Purja served in the British Army for 16 years, including in the Gurkha Rifles and the Special Boat Service (SBS), before retiring to become a full-time mountaineer. He rose to global prominence in 2019 after setting a world record by climbing all 14 peaks over 8,000 meters worldwide in just over 6 months, breaking the previous record of 7 years.
In 2021, Purja and a team of 10 Nepalese climbers became the first to successfully summit K2, the world’s second-highest peak, during winter. His climbing achievements were featured in the acclaimed 2021 Netflix documentary “14 Peaks: Nothing Is Impossible,” inspiring people worldwide.
Before the tragedy, Purja was attempting to become the first person to climb all 14 of the 8,000-meter peaks for a second time without using supplemental oxygen. Broad Peak, the world’s 12th highest mountain, is known as one of the most difficult and dangerous 8,000-meter peaks to climb.
His last post on X read: “Broad Peak... I ask for nothing but a safe journey up and down... My purpose has never been about myself but to show 'you' that no matter how tough the peaks in your life are, you can conquer them.”
After setting the world record, Purja founded Elite Expeditions, becoming a leading mountain guide. He also established a foundation to support education, clean up mountain waste, and build safe shelters for porters on the Everest climbing route.
Despite his acclaim, Purja faced criticism over his climbing style, which involved extensive use of aid such as supplemental oxygen, fixed ropes, and helicopter transfers between base camps.
In 2024, he was accused of sexual harassment by two female climbers, allegations he denied.
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Source:cna