Broad Peak Avalanche Claims 10 Lives, Including Nirmal Purja( Nims dai)
The world of mountaineering is in shock and grief after a devastating avalanche on Broad Peak killed 10 climbers, including world-renowned record-setting mountaineer and expedition leader Nirmal Purja, also known as “Nims Dai.”
Search and rescue crews said Saturday there were no survivors after an avalanche hit the expedition between 8:00 am local time on Thursday, July 30, 2026. The team lost contact with its tour operator at 9 am that day.
Nirmal Purja, a former British Gurkha and elite Nepal-born soldier who won worldwide renown via his Netflix documentary 14 Peaks – where he climbed all eight-thousanders in a record-shattering six months and six days. He holds multiple Guinness World Records for high-altitude mountaineering, most famously completing the fastest ascent of the world’s 14 highest peaks above 8,000 meters and setting speed records for climbing Everest, Lhotse, and Makalu.
He was leading the team in Broad Peak through his company “Elite Expad”. His adventure business officially acknowledged his passing, sending shockwaves across the worldwide climbing community.
The rescue operation began on Thursday, but hazardous weather conditions hampered recovery efforts. Rescue teams from Nepal, along with additional Sherpas from other expeditions, joined the mission as the search operation resumed.
Every possible effort was made, but sadly no one survived.
The full roster of the ten victims highlights the devastating toll the disaster has taken on both international climbing pioneers and local mountain professionals:
- Nirmal Purja “Nims Dai” (Nepal) – Expedition leader and legendary record-making mountaineer.
- Pur Bahadur Gurung “Yukta” (Nepal) – Seasoned guide, whose body has been recovered.
- Nadhira Ahmed Abdullah Al Harthy (Oman) – Trailblazing climber and first Omani woman to scale Everest, whose body has been recovered.
- Kili Pemba Sherpa “Kilu” (Nepal) – High-altitude worker.
- Nima Sherpa (Nepal) – Mountain guide.
- Nawang Thindu Sherpa (Nepal) – Team member.
- Gyalu Sherpa (Nepal) – Team member.
- Sohail Sakhi (Pakistan) – Local logistics and guide.
- Wang Zhong (China) – Expedition climber.
- Mallory Geis (USA) – American expedition climber.
Emotional tributes from across the world followed news of the disaster. Other climbers, explorers, and government officials also turned to social media to honor Purja as a courageous pioneer who redefined human potential in severe high-altitude climbing.
Survivors and peers also paid tribute to the fallen guides and Sherpas, recognizing them as the courageous backbone of Himalayan and Karakoram climbing. Local officials, tour operators, and rescue coordinators are presently working in close cooperation with international embassies to organize the return of the foreign nationals.
We are saddened by the loss of ten incredible lives taken by the majestic and unforgiving mountains they loved so much. They leave behind grieving families, friends, co-workers, and the wider climbing community.
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