Renowned Nepali mountaineer Nirmal Purja, widely known as “Nimsdai,” and nine other climbers are missing after a massive avalanche hit their expedition on Broad Peak in Pakistan.
The incident occurred around midday on Thursday at an elevation of approximately 6,600 to 7,000 meters in the Karakoram range. All communication with the 10-member team was lost immediately following the strike.
Article Breakdown
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Missing Team Members: The international expedition includes five Nepali climbers led by Purja, alongside climbers from the United States, China, Oman, and Pakistan.
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Rescue Operations: The Pakistan Alpine Club and local authorities have deployed search-and-rescue teams. However, high winds and adverse weather have severely hampered helicopter access to the upper reaches of the 8,047-meter mountain.
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Tracking Signal Offers Hope: Data from Purja’s personal GPS tracking device showed location shifts following the avalanche, indicating potential movement downhill. Rescuers caution that this does not confirm physical condition but remains a focal point for ground and aerial search efforts.
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Official Response: Nepal’s Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation confirmed active coordination with Pakistani authorities to mobilize high-altitude rescue crews as soon as weather conditions improve.
Purja, 43, gained global fame after scaling all 14 of the world’s 8,000-meter peaks in just over six months in 2019, a feat documented in the film 14 Peaks: Nothing Is Impossible.