Elite Exped confirmed that Purja, along with trusted climbing partners Pur Bahadur Gurung and Nima Sherpa, lost their lives in the avalanche, calling it an “unimaginable loss” for the global mountaineering community.
BY PC Bureau
August 1, 2026: The global mountaineering community has been plunged into mourning after legendary climber Nirmal “Nims” Purja, whose record-breaking Himalayan expeditions redefined the limits of high-altitude climbing, was confirmed dead following a devastating avalanche on Broad Peak in Pakistan’s Karakoram range.
Purja had been missing since Friday along with five members of his expedition after an avalanche swept through the mountain’s West Ridge route at an altitude of around 21,600 feet. His death was confirmed on Saturday by his expedition company, Elite Exped, ending days of anxious hope for a miracle rescue.
In an emotional statement posted on Instagram, the company said: “Today, it is with profound sadness and immense heartbreak that we confirm that Nirmal ‘Nimsdai’ Purja tragically lost his life following the avalanche on Broad Peak. We have also received confirmation that other members of the expedition sadly did not survive.”
Elite Exped also confirmed the deaths of Purja’s long-time climbing partners and guides, Pur Bahadur Gurung (Yukta) and Nima Sherpa, describing the tragedy as one of the darkest moments in the company’s history.
“Today, we mourn not only Nims, but every life lost in this tragedy. Our deepest thoughts, prayers and heartfelt condolences are with their families, friends and loved ones. No words can ease the pain of this unimaginable loss, and we ask that everyone respects their privacy as they grieve,” the statement said.
Broad Peak, the world’s 12th-highest mountain at 8,051 metres, lies in the Karakoram range near K2, along the border of Gilgit-Baltistan in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and China’s Xinjiang region. The avalanche struck the standard West Ridge climbing route during the expedition.
Paying tribute to Purja, Elite Exped described him as one of the greatest mountaineers of his generation.
“The world has lost one of mountaineering’s greatest climbers—a leader who inspired millions through his courage, humility and unwavering belief that human potential is far greater than we often imagine. More than his extraordinary achievements, he wanted to show the world what was possible when people dared to dream bigger, believed in themselves and refused to accept limitations.”
The company said Purja’s vision extended far beyond climbing. He founded Elite Exped, the Nimsdai Foundation, Skydive Nimsdai and the Nimsdai Store, using his success to mentor aspiring mountaineers and support communities in Nepal.
Good Bye 💔
The Legend …
The Mountain Man….
The conqueror of Mountains….
The Beast of Mountains….
Nirmal Purja AKA “Nims Dai”You will always be remembered for your courage.#BroadPeak #Avalanche #NimsDai #Pakistan #MountainRescue #mingma #nirmalpurja #recovery… pic.twitter.com/3n2e8Icjd5
— Royal Adventure Club (@RoyalAdvClub) August 1, 2026
“His legacy will live on in the countless lives he transformed and the people he inspired to climb their own mountains,” it added.
Born in Nepal, Purja first built an extraordinary military career before becoming one of the world’s most celebrated climbers. He served in Britain’s elite Brigade of Gurkhas before earning a place in the Special Boat Service (SBS), one of the United Kingdom’s most prestigious special forces units.
After leaving military service, Purja turned to high-altitude mountaineering, rapidly becoming one of the sport’s most accomplished figures.
READ: World Cup Hero Ashok Kumar Defends Iconic Blue Jersey: ‘It Holds the Sentiments of Millions’
His defining achievement came in 2019 when he completed Project Possible, climbing all 14 mountains above 8,000 metres in an astonishing six months and six days, shattering the previous record of nearly eight years.
In 2021, Purja was also part of the historic all-Nepali team that achieved the first successful winter ascent of K2, long regarded as the last great unsolved challenge in Himalayan climbing.
His extraordinary journey reached audiences worldwide through the acclaimed Netflix documentary 14 Peaks: Nothing Is Impossible, which chronicled his seemingly impossible quest and inspired a new generation of adventurers across the globe.
With his death, mountaineering has lost not only a record-breaker but a visionary who challenged conventional limits and proved that determination, preparation and courage could redefine what humanity believed was possible.
