Nirmal Purja killed in avalanche on Broad Peak

Nirmal Purja, the celebrated Nepali-British mountaineer, was killed in an avalanche on Broad Peak in Pakistan that claimed 11 lives, including members of his expedition. He was 43. A climbing company confirmed his death. Purja served in the British Army’s Brigade of Gurkhas and later in the Royal Navy’s Special Boat Service before becoming a mountaineering icon. The 2021 documentary 14 Peaks: Nothing Is Impossible, directed by Torquil Jones, captured his record-breaking attempt to summit all 14 eight-thousander peaks in under seven months. Prince William, who described Purja as “one of the world’s greatest mountaineers,” said he was “truly saddened.” Reports suggest tributes have been paid across Nepal, underscoring the loss of a figure who bridged his homeland and the UK.

Nirmal Purja killed in avalanche on Broad Peak

Nirmal Purja, the mountaineer who climbed all 14 eight-thousander peaks in under seven months, has died at age 43. He was killed when an avalanche struck his expedition on Broad Peak in Pakistan, the world's 12th-highest mountain. The avalanche killed 11 climbers in total, including Purja and other members of his team. A climbing company confirmed his death. Purja, who held both Nepali and British nationality, was leading the expedition. A documentary about his record-breaking feat, titled 14 Peaks: Nothing Is Impossible, was released in 2021 and directed by Torquil Jones.

From Gurkha to SBS to mountaineering legend

Before his mountaineering career, Purja served in the British Army’s Brigade of Gurkhas and later in the Royal Navy’s Special Boat Service, the UK’s elite special forces unit. He held dual Nepali and British nationality.

His global recognition came with the 2021 documentary 14 Peaks: Nothing Is Impossible, directed by Torquil Jones. The film chronicled Purja and his team’s attempt to summit all 14 eight-thousander peaks—mountains over 8,000 metres—in under seven months. The feat shattered the previous world record by years and established Purja as one of the most accomplished high-altitude climbers of his generation.

Prince William leads tributes as Nepal mourns

Prince William said he was “truly saddened” by Purja’s death and described him as “one of the world’s greatest mountaineers”. A climbing company confirmed that Purja, 43, had been killed. According to reports, tributes were paid to Purja across Nepal, where he was born before later becoming a British citizen. Purja served in the British Army with the Brigade of Gurkhas and later in the Royal Navy’s Special Boat Service. His death, along with 10 other climbers, occurred when an avalanche struck his expedition on Broad Peak, the world’s 12th-highest mountain, in Pakistan.

Avalanche kills 11 on Broad Peak expedition

An avalanche swept through Nirmal Purja’s expedition on Broad Peak, the world’s 12th-highest mountain, killing 11 climbers. Purja, who was leading the group, was among the dead, along with other members of his team.

A climbing company confirmed his death. No further details have been released about the exact date of the avalanche or the names of the other victims.

Broad Peak, in Pakistan, rises to 8,051 metres. The disaster struck while Purja was guiding the expedition, a role that drew on the experience he had built during record-breaking ascents in the years before.

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