Broad Peak avalanche claims 10 lives
All 10 climbers, including famous Nirmal Purja, die in Pakistan's Broad Peak avalanche
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All 10 climbers swept away by an avalanche on Pakistan's Broad Peak have died, expedition company Elite Exped confirmed Saturday. Among the dead is renowned British-Nepali mountaineer Nirmal Purja, who led the team. Voice of Alexandria reports that four bodies were found on Thursday and three more were recovered Friday amid harsh weather conditions.
The tragedy wiped out an entire 10-member expedition in one of the deadliest single avalanche events in recent Himalayan climbing history. Broad Peak, standing at 8,051 meters, sits in Pakistan's remote Gilgit-Baltistan region near the Chinese border.
Who Was Nirmal Purja and Why He Mattered
Nirmal Purja was one of the most celebrated climbers alive. He climbed all 14 of the world's highest peaks — each above 8,000 meters — in just 189 days, shattering the previous record. The feat was turned into a Netflix documentary called "14 Peaks: Nothing Is Impossible," making him a household name in adventure sports. His record was later broken in 2023, Eagle Tribune noted.
Purja founded Elite Exped, the same company that confirmed his death Saturday. He was both the expedition leader and its most famous member. His loss marks a profound moment for the global climbing community.
Avalanche Strikes Thursday, Recovery Hampered by Weather
The avalanche hit on Thursday, sweeping all 10 climbers off the mountain in an instant. Rescue teams found four bodies that same day. Three more were recovered on Friday, but severe weather made further operations extremely difficult, according to WD Times.
The remaining climbers' bodies were not immediately recovered from the mountain. Three victims — including Omani climber Nathira Ahmed and two American climbers — were taken to a hospital in Skardu. Skardu is the main city in Pakistan's northern Gilgit-Baltistan region, Daily Advance reported.
Broad Peak's Deadly Reputation Among Elite Climbers
Broad Peak is the 12th highest mountain in the world. It sits in one of the most dangerous climbing zones on Earth, near K2 — the second-highest peak and widely considered the most lethal. Avalanches are a constant threat at these altitudes, where weather can shift without warning.
Pakistan's Karakoram range draws climbers from around the world each summer season. But the combination of extreme altitude, unpredictable snow conditions, and remote location means rescue operations are slow and often impossible. This incident underscores those risks at their most brutal, The Facts reported.
Elite Exped Confirms All 10 Dead as World Mourns
Elite Exped issued a formal confirmation Saturday that all 10 climbers had perished. No survivors were found. The company did not immediately release the full list of nationalities on the expedition, but at least one Omani and two Americans were confirmed among the dead, according to Eagle Tribune.
The climbing community reacted with shock. Purja had inspired a generation of adventurers with his record-breaking speed climbs. His death, alongside nine teammates, closes a remarkable chapter in modern mountaineering — and highlights the unforgiving nature of the world's highest peaks.
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