Nirmal Purja Among 10 Climbers Feared Missing After Avalanche on Pakistan's Broad Peak

Renowned Nepali-born mountaineer Nirmal Purja is among a 10-member international climbing team feared missing after an avalanche struck Pakistan's Broad Peak, one of the world's highest mountains.

The avalanche reportedly hit the 8,047-metre (26,400-foot) mountain in the Karakoram range at around midday on Thursday. Mountaineering officials said there has been no communication with the team since the incident.

International Team Feared Missing

According to Pakistani mountaineering officials, the team includes climbers from several countries. The group is reportedly made up of an American, a Chinese national, an Omani and five Nepali climbers, alongside expedition leader Nirmal Purja.

Authorities and mountaineering organisations are working to determine the team's condition and location following the avalanche.

Karrar Haidri, vice-president of the Alpine Club of Pakistan, said efforts were underway to coordinate a possible helicopter rescue operation. The rescue mission is expected to depend heavily on weather conditions in the mountainous region.

Officials are reportedly preparing to mobilise rescue resources as soon as conditions allow.

Rescue Efforts Being Coordinated

The Alpine Club of Pakistan said it has remained in contact with relevant authorities and is working to ensure that available resources are mobilised as quickly as possible.

The organisation expressed hope for the safety of all climbers and said it stands with their families and the wider international mountaineering community during the difficult situation.

Rescue operations in high-altitude environments such as Broad Peak can be extremely challenging because of rapidly changing weather, difficult terrain and the risk of further avalanches.

Who Is Nirmal Purja?

Nirmal Purja, widely known as Nimsdai, is one of the world's most accomplished high-altitude mountaineers.

Born in Nepal, Purja previously served in the British military, joining the British Army in 2003 before becoming a Royal Marine in 2009.

He gained worldwide recognition in 2019 after completing the ascent of all 14 of the world's mountains higher than 8,000 metres in just over six months, setting a remarkable record in high-altitude mountaineering.

His achievement made him one of the most recognised figures in modern Himalayan and high-altitude climbing.

How Purja Began Mountaineering

Purja's mountaineering journey began in 2012 when he travelled to Everest Base Camp.

What was initially planned as a trek to the base camp eventually turned into something much more ambitious. Instead of returning as planned, Purja decided to attempt the ascent of Mount Everest.

That experience marked the beginning of his remarkable career in high-altitude mountaineering.

Broad Peak: One of the World's Highest Mountains

Broad Peak stands at approximately 8,047 metres above sea level and is located in Pakistan's Karakoram mountain range.

It is considered one of the world's most challenging high-altitude mountains and ranks as the 12th-highest mountain on Earth.

The mountain's extreme altitude and unpredictable conditions make climbing and rescue operations particularly difficult. Avalanches can pose a significant risk to mountaineers operating in the region.

Families and Mountaineering Community Await Updates

The news has raised concerns among the international mountaineering community, with families and supporters waiting for further information about the missing climbers.

Authorities are expected to continue assessing weather and mountain conditions before deciding on the next steps in the rescue operation.

The situation remains developing, and further updates are expected as officials and rescue teams work to establish contact with the expedition and determine the safest way to reach the climbers.

The international mountaineering community is closely watching the rescue efforts, hoping that Nirmal Purja and all members of the expedition will be found safe.