Nepali mountaineer Nirmal Purja was killed in an avalanche on the Broad Peak (8,051 m) mountain in Pakistan. This was reported by the Elite Exped company, whose co-founder was Purja.
"Today, it is with deep pain and a heavy heart that we confirm that Nirmal Purja was killed in an avalanche on Broad Peak. We have also received confirmation that the other participants of this expedition unfortunately did not survive. Today, we mourn not only Nirmal, but every life lost in this tragedy, including his trusted climbing companions and companions, Pur Bahadur Gurung (Yukta) and Nima Sherpa," the company said in a statement.
On July 29, a team of 10 mountaineers from Nepal, Pakistan, the United States, Oman and China began the ascent of Broad Peak. The expedition was led by 43-year-old Purja. On July 30, around noon local time, an avalanche occurred on the mountain, after which contact with the group was lost. According to the GPS sensors, the athletes were thrown one kilometer down.
Purja made mountaineering history in 2019 by climbing all 14 of the world's highest peaks in a record-breaking six months and six days. This record was preserved until 2023. He also became the first mountaineer to reach the summits of Everest, Lhotse and Makalu within 48 hours.
