Renowned Nepali Mountaineer Nirmal Purja Among 10 Missing After Avalanche on Broad Peak - Pakistan

July 31, 2026

A 10-member international mountaineering team led by celebrated Nepali climber Nirmal “Nims” Purja is feared missing after an avalanche struck Broad Peak in Pakistan’s Karakoram range on Thursday, July 30.

Broad Peak	Nims Dai

According to the Alpine Club of Pakistan, the avalanche hit around midday on the 8,047-metre (26,400 ft) peak — the world’s 12th-highest mountain. The team lost all communication shortly after the incident and has not been heard from since.

The group included five Nepali climbers led by Purja, Pakistani guide Sohail Sakhi from Hunza, an American climber, an Omani climber, a Chinese climber, and other high-altitude team members. Purja was leading an expedition for his company Elite Exped at the time.

Purja, a former British Royal Marine and Special Boat Service member, rose to global fame in 2019 when he became the first person to climb all 14 of the world’s 8,000-metre peaks in just over six months. His achievement was later documented in the Netflix film 14 Peaks: Nothing Is Impossible.

Rescue officials are coordinating closely with Pakistani authorities. Helicopter search operations are planned as soon as weather conditions allow, with efforts expected to begin Friday morning local time. High-altitude conditions and visibility remain critical factors for any rescue attempt.

At this stage there is no confirmed information about the condition of the climbers. Search teams and mountaineering authorities are working urgently to locate the group.

The international climbing community and families of the missing are holding onto hope that all members of the team will be found safe. Our thoughts are with everyone involved, and we join the many voices around the world wishing for a successful rescue and the safe return of Nirmal Purja and his fellow climbers.