Archive · 6 Aug 2026
Nirmal Purja among five climbers killed in Broad Peak avalanche
Some people love climbing the tallest mountains in the world.
One of those very tall mountains is called Broad Peak, and it is in a country called Pakistan.
In July, a huge pile of snow called an avalanche suddenly fell on a group of climbers on Broad Peak.
Sadly, five of the climbers, including a very famous one named Nirmal Purja, passed away.
A group called the Alpine Club of Pakistan worked to recover the climbers, using helicopters to bring them to a city called Skardu.
Some of the climbers were brought to a hospital, and later they will be sent to another city called Islamabad.
Two other climbers are still missing, and search teams have been looking for them for eight days.
Before this, Purja had become famous for climbing the 14 tallest mountains in just six months.
He was hoping to become the first person to climb all 14 of the tallest mountains twice.
His charity, the Nimsdai Foundation, is raising money to help the families of the mountain guides who died.
Renowned mountaineer Nirmal Purja and four other climbers were killed when an avalanche struck Broad Peak in Pakistan on July 30.
The Alpine Club of Pakistan confirmed the recovery of the bodies of Purja, Wang Zhong, Nima Sherpa, Gyalu Sherpa, and Killi Pemba 'Kilu' Sherpa.
The bodies were airlifted by helicopter to Skardu CMH Hospital, in what the Alpine Club called one of the most technically demanding recovery operations on Broad Peak.
Seven bodies have been recovered, while Pakistani climber Sohail Sakhi and American Sarah Mallory Geis remain missing as the search enters its eighth day.
Purja, who set a record in 2019 by climbing all 14 eight-thousanders in just over six months, hoped to become the first to climb them all twice; his Nimsdai Foundation launched a fund for guides' families.
- Who
- A 10-member international expedition led by renowned mountaineer Nirmal Purja, including climbers Wang Zhong, Nima Sherpa, Gyalu Sherpa, and Killi Pemba 'Kilu' Sherpa.
- What
- An avalanche struck the expedition on Broad Peak, killing Purja and four others; seven bodies have been recovered while two climbers remain missing.
- When
- The avalanche struck on July 30; recovery and search operations continued into their eighth day.
- Where
- Broad Peak mountain in Pakistan; bodies were airlifted to Skardu and are set to be transferred to Islamabad for repatriation.
- Why
- Purja was attempting to become the first person to climb all 14 eight-thousanders twice, and the expedition ended in tragedy when the avalanche struck.
- Avalanche date
- July 30
- Confirmed deaths
- 5: Nirmal Purja, Wang Zhong, Nima Sherpa, Gyalu Sherpa, Killi Pemba 'Kilu' Sherpa
- Expedition
- 10-member international team led by 43-year-old Purja
- Bodies recovered
- 7, airlifted to Skardu CMH Hospital
- Missing climbers
- Sohail Sakhi (Pakistan) and Sarah Mallory Geis (USA)
- Unrecovered body
- Nawang Thindu Sherpa - spotted but not recovered due to high-altitude location
- Relief fund
- Nimsdai Foundation's Broad Peak Guides' Family Support Fund
- Purja's 2019 record
- Climbed all 14 eight-thousanders in just over six months under 'Project Possible'