- An avalanche on Pakistan’s Broad Peak killed all 10 members of an expedition, including Nirmal Purja, a British-Nepali climber known for climbing the world’s 14 tallest peaks in just over six months; the group had gone missing after being caught in an avalanche last Thursday.
- Nepal’s Prime Minister Balendra Shah paid tribute, saying Purja’s history of courage, dedication and contribution ‘will always remain inspiring’, and Purja’s brother Kamal wrote: ‘Your legacy will live forever.’
- At Small Heaven School in Chitwan, which Purja had attended, students and staff lit candles; student Sarbagya Paudel said Purja’s bravery ‘has set a great example for our school’ and brought ‘pride to Nepal’.
- His death sent shock waves through the global mountaineering community; social media was awash with tributes to a ‘legend’, and Purja had been propelled to international stardom by a 2021 Netflix documentary.
- Purja served in the British military for 16 years, 10 of which were in the special forces, was awarded an MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) by the late Queen in 2018, and said he was the first Gurkha to climb Everest while serving.
- As he became more famous, troubling allegations emerged; a 2024 New York Times article detailed sexual allegations two women made against Purja, and he denied the claims through his lawyer.
- The 10-member team included six Nepali climbers, among them Pur Bahadur Gurung (Yukta), who had summitted Everest 10 times, and Kili Pemba Sherpa, part of a historic 2021 K2 winter expedition.
Nirmal Purja, a celebrated mountaineer from Nepal, tragically died in an avalanche on Broad Peak, Pakistan, along with nine others, including six Nepali climbers. His death has sent shockwaves through the global mountaineering community and sparked an outpouring of grief in Nepal.123171819
Purja, known for his remarkable achievement of climbing the world’s 14 tallest peaks in just over six months, was a symbol of inspiration for many. Nepal’s Prime Minister Balendra Shah honored him, stating that his "history of courage, dedication and contribution will always remain inspiring." His brother Kamal expressed profound sorrow on social media, saying, "I feel as though I have lost my whole world. My brother was not only my younger brother - he was my heart."456
At the Small Heaven School in Chitwan, where Purja studied, students and staff lit candles in his memory. Sarbagya Paudel, a student, remarked that Purja’s "bravery has set a great example for our school." His former hostel supervisor recalled him as "fearless and committed to achieving something" from a young age.78
Purja's legacy extends beyond his climbing feats; he served in the British military for 16 years and was the first Gurkha to summit Everest while in service. His journey gained international fame through a 2021 Netflix documentary. However, his rise to stardom was marred by troubling allegations of misconduct, which he denied. Despite this, his impact on the climbing community remains significant, with many mourning the loss of a true legend.910111213141516
The expedition on Broad Peak included climbers from various countries, highlighting the international nature of the mountaineering community. Purja's death is a profound loss for Nepal, where he is celebrated for elevating the profile of Nepali climbers worldwide.
“All 10 members of the Broad Peak expedition died, including six Nepali climbers; Nepal's Prime Minister Balendra Shah said Purja's 'history of courage, dedication and contribution will always remain inspiring.' At Small Heaven School in Chitwan, students and staff lit candles; school friend Bahadur Panta said he prayed through 'sleepless nights.'”
BBC
