01/08/2026
A Heartbreaking Day for the Global Mountaineering Community
Today, our hearts are heavy as we confirm the loss of all ten climbers swept away by an avalanche on Broad Peak, the world's twelfth-highest mountain, including renowned mountaineer and former British soldier Nirmal Purja.
Official confirmation: Elite Expeditions, Purja's company, confirmed that Nirmal Purja died in Thursday's avalanche, and that the nine other members of the expedition also lost their lives. Nepal's Prime Minister, Balendra Shah, publicly confirmed the deaths as well, stating that the loss of world-record holder Nirmal Purja, along with six Nepali climbers and four other foreign climbers, had shocked the nation.
What happened: On July 30, an avalanche struck an international expedition of ten climbers on Broad Peak (8,051m). According to ExplorersWeb, the slide did not bury most of the climbers but swept them hundreds of metres down the mountain, with drone footage later spotting several bodies lying in the snow near Camp 1.
The recovery operation: A ground team, including Mingma G of Imagine Nepal and Sirbaz Khan of Pakistan, set out from Camp 1 and reached the accident site, working alongside Pakistan Army helicopters on standby to support the effort. Given the steep, technical terrain, a ground approach was deemed essential, and rescuers took care to avoid triggering a second slide. Mingma David Sherpa, a member of Nepal's parliament, Purja's business partner, and a long-line rescue specialist, also travelled to Skardu to join the operation.
Gilgit-Baltistan's Tourism Minister, Nek Nam Karim, told BBC Urdu that three bodies; American climber Mallory Geis, Omani climber Nadhira Al Harthy, and Nepali climber Pur Bahadur "Yukta" Gurung had already been transported to Skardu, with repatriation arrangements underway for the Omani and Nepali climbers. He added that the remaining bodies were located in an extremely hazardous, avalanche-prone site, complicating recovery, and that Pakistani climber Sohail Sakhi remained unlocated at the time of his statement.
End of the season: With this tragedy, the Karakoram's commercial climbing season has come to an early and sombre close, all expeditions in the region have been cancelled, with resources redirected to the search and recovery effort. For Mingma G, the loss is especially personal: his Imagine Nepal team and Purja's EliteExped had frequently partnered on ambitious summit pushes in past seasons, including on Gasherbrum II this year, K2 last year, and Cho Oyu in 2023.
Those we lost: Nirmal "Nimsdai" Purja, Pur Bahadur "Yukta" Gurung, Nima Sherpa, Kili Pemba Sherpa, Nwang Thendu Sherpa, and Gyalu Sherpa (Nepal); Sohail Sakhi (Pakistan); Nadhira Al Harthy (Oman); Mallory Geis (United States); and Wang Zhong (China).
We extend our deepest condolences to the families, friends, and teammates of all ten climbers. Their courage, determination, and love for the mountains will always be remembered.
We also wish to express our sincere appreciation to Sirbaz Khan, Mingma G, Mingma David Sherpa, and every member of the rescue team who risked their own lives in the hope of bringing answers to the families. Their dedication, professionalism, and selfless efforts reflect the true spirit of mountaineering.
May the departed rest in eternal peace, and may their legacy continue to inspire generations of mountaineers around the world.
