- British-Nepali climber Nirmal Purja, who died in an avalanche in Pakistan’s Broad Peak, was renowned for ascending all 14 of the world’s 8,000-metre (26,000-foot) peaks in a record 189 days in 2019.
- The avalanche struck while Purja was leading a multinational expedition of nine other climbers on the world’s 12th-highest mountain.
- All climbers in the expedition were confirmed dead, and search teams were attempting to recover their bodies.
- Elite Exped stated, 'The world has lost one of mountaineering’s greatest climbers,' mourning all the lives lost in the tragedy.
- The avalanche not only claimed six Nepali lives but also wiped out one of the most accomplished generations of high-altitude climbers in Nepal.
- Among those killed was Nirmal Purja, along with five elite Nepali mountain guides who shaped modern Himalayan climbing.
- The other Nepali climbers killed in the avalanche included Pur Bahadur Gurung, Kili Pemba Sherpa, Nima Sherpa, Nawang Thendu Sherpa, and Gyaljen Sherpa.
- Gyalu Sherpa set a Guinness World Record by summiting Kanchenjunga three times in a single season.
- Nawang Thendu Sherpa, only 29 years old, had already summited several major peaks including Everest and Lhotse.
- Leaders in Nepal’s mountaineering industry warned that the loss of such experienced climbers will have lasting consequences for the country’s adventure tourism sector.
Nirmal Purja, a celebrated British-Nepali climber, tragically died in an avalanche on Pakistan's Broad Peak, along with five elite Nepali guides. This incident not only claims lives but also erases decades of expertise from Nepal's climbing community.6
The avalanche struck on Thursday, killing Purja, known for his record ascent of all 14 of the world’s 8,000-metre peaks in just 189 days in 2019. His expedition included climbers from various nations, but it was the Nepali guides who bore the brunt of this disaster.
Among the deceased were Pur Bahadur Gurung, known as Yukta, who had summited Everest ten times, and Nawang Thendu Sherpa, a promising 29-year-old with an impressive climbing record. Gyalu Sherpa, another victim, set a Guinness World Record by summiting Kanchenjunga three times in a single season.789
The loss of these climbers is felt deeply in Nepal, where leaders in the mountaineering industry warn of lasting impacts on the adventure tourism sector. Chhang Dawa Sherpa, director of Seven Summit Treks, emphasized that producing international-standard mountain guides takes years of training and experience, making this loss a devastating blow for both Nepal and the global climbing community.
As the nation mourns, the contributions of these climbers will be remembered, highlighting the fragility of life in the high mountains and the profound impact of their absence on future generations.
“All 10 climbers on the expedition died, including five Nepali guides such as Pur Bahadur Gurung, Kili Pemba Sherpa, and Nawang Thendu Sherpa. Nepal's industry leaders warned the loss will hurt adventure tourism, with Seven Summit Treks' Chhang Dawa saying an international-standard guide cannot be produced overnight.”
South China Morning Post
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