A massive avalanche on the 26,400-foot-tall Broad Peak has left ten climbers missing, including Nirmal “Nims” Purja. The disaster struck a group of climbers around midday on Thursday, July 30, during the summer climbing season in Pakistan’s Karakoram Mountains. The Alpine Club of Pakistan reported that the entire team has been out of communication since the incident.
Rescue teams are mobilizing to reach the mountain, though access is expected to be difficult. Tracking data shows a rapid descent from the summit area that aligns with the path of an avalanche. Officials note that every possible effort is being made to mobilize helicopter support and all available rescue resources, subject to weather and operational conditions. The first attempts to reach the group are not expected to occur until Friday morning local time.
Elite Exped, the company Purja was leading, confirmed the missing status of the team. Purja rose to prominence after the release of the Netflix documentary “14 Peaks: Nothing Is Impossible” in 2021, which chronicled his attempt to break the speed record for climbing the world’s 14 peaks above 8,000 meters. His career has been defined by significant achievements and controversy, including allegations of sexual assault during expeditions, as reported by The New York Times.
Recent climbing data indicates that Purja was active just days before the accident. According to the Everest Chronicle, he completed his 57th successful ascent of an 8,000-meter peak on July 21 with an oxygenless ascent of Gasherbrum II. He was nearing the completion of his “Hat Trick Campaign” to climb all 14 8,000-meter peaks three times. He also recently inaugurated a new porter shelter in the Everest region for workers carrying goods for expeditions.
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The missing climbers include Pakistani guide Sohail Sakhi and his American client Mallory Geis. An Omani climber named Nathira and a Chinese client known as Wang are also among the missing. Nepali outfitter Seven Summit Treks has confirmed that Nadhira Al Harthy, Gelu Sherpa, and Nawang Thindu Sherpa are among the victims. A number of Nepali and Pakistani high-altitude workers are also missing, though their names have not yet been released.
This tragedy highlights the inherent risks of high-altitude mountaineering in a region that has seen growing interest in recent years. The Karakoram range remains extremely isolated with limited facilities for communication or helicopter rescue. The climbing season relies on summer weather patterns and longer daylight hours, yet the operational challenges persist for those attempting to summit its peaks.
Update: On August 1 at 5 A.M., Elite Exped confirmed Purja’s death in an Instagram post.
