Internationally renowned mountaineer Nirmal Purja is among a group of ten climbers feared missing after a powerful avalanche struck Pakistan’s Broad Peak, one of the highest mountains in the world.
Rescue teams are racing against time to locate the expedition after all communication with the climbers was lost following the incident.
The avalanche swept across the 8,047-meter (26,400-foot) mountain in the Karakoram range around midday on Thursday, creating dangerous conditions that have complicated immediate rescue efforts.
Authorities have not received any contact from the expedition since the snowslide occurred.
International Expedition Caught in the Disaster
According to the Alpine Club of Pakistan, Purja was leading a multinational climbing team when the avalanche struck.
The expedition included one Pakistani climber, one Chinese climber, one American, one Omani, and five climbers from Nepal, highlighting the international nature of the mission.
The organization confirmed that it has been coordinating closely with Pakistan’s highest government authorities and emergency agencies to organize an extensive search-and-rescue response as quickly as possible.
Rescue Teams Await Suitable Flying Conditions
Officials say every available effort is being made to mobilize helicopters and other rescue resources, although poor weather and challenging mountain conditions have delayed aerial operations.
Rescuers remain on standby and are prepared to deploy helicopters as soon as visibility and weather conditions improve, offering the best chance of reaching the affected area safely.
From Elite Military Service to Global Mountaineering Fame
Before becoming one of the world’s most recognizable high-altitude climbers, Purja spent 15 years serving in the British military.
He joined the British Army as a Gurkha in 2003 before transferring to the Royal Navy’s elite Special Boat Service (SBS) in 2009.
His move made history, as he became the first Gurkha to serve in the highly specialized unit.
During his military career, he trained as a cold-weather warfare specialist and participated in multiple British military operations, though details of many missions remain classified.
Purja has previously revealed that he survived a sniper attack during active service, with the bullet striking the stock of his rifle after narrowly missing his neck.
Rather than continue his military career, he declined an opportunity to join the Special Air Service (SAS) and left the SBS as a Lance Corporal in 2018 to dedicate himself fully to professional mountaineering.
Record-Breaking Achievements in High-Altitude Climbing
Purja has earned worldwide recognition for redefining the limits of high-altitude climbing.
He has successfully summited Mount Everest six times, with his most recent ascent taking place in 2022.
His greatest achievement came in 2019 when he climbed all 14 mountains higher than 8,000 meters in just over six months, shattering previous records and cementing his reputation as one of the greatest mountaineers of his generation.
His contributions to mountaineering were recognized in 2018 when Queen Elizabeth II appointed him a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for his accomplishments in high-altitude climbing.
