Ten Climbers, Including Nirmal ‘Nimsdai’ Purja, Confirmed Dead in Broad Peak Avalanche

PAKISTAN- Famed Nepali climber Nirmal “Nimsdai” Purja and nine others have died after a massive avalanche struck Broad Peak (8,047m) in Pakistan’s Karakoram range.

Elite Exped, the company managing his climb, confirmed the news, stating, “Today it is with profound sadness and immense heartbreak that we confirm that Nirmal ‘Nimsdai’ Purja tragically lost his life following the avalanche on Broad Peak.”

Purja, 41, was part of an international expedition pushing toward the summit when the avalanche hit the upper route. The slide swept climbers down steep terrain, destroyed fixed lines, and made rescue attempts extremely dangerous. Search teams reached lower sections of the mountain but were unable to access the upper zone due to unstable snow and repeated avalanches. Authorities suspended operations until conditions improve.

Among the victims was Sarah Mallory Geis, 39, of San Antonio, Texas, who was climbing with the same group. Pakistani officials also confirmed the deaths of two Pakistani high‑altitude porters supporting the expedition. Their names have not yet been released. Additional climbers from the international team are counted among the nine casualties, with authorities continuing to verify identities and notify families.

The avalanche struck suddenly during the summit push, hitting a section commonly used for the final ascent. Climbers were caught in the debris flow, and the force of the slide made survival unlikely. Weather conditions worsened quickly, preventing further movement on the mountain.

Purja’s death has deeply affected the global mountaineering community. Known for completing all 14 of the world’s 8,000‑meter peaks in six months and six days, he was regarded as one of the strongest high‑altitude climbers of his generation. Tributes are being shared across Nepal, Pakistan, the United States, Europe, and the wider outdoor world for Purja, Mallory Geis, the Pakistani porters, and the remaining climbers who lost their lives.

Broad Peak, the 12th‑highest mountain in the world, is known for unpredictable weather and dangerous avalanche conditions. This incident marks one of the deadliest events on the mountain in recent years.

Authorities in Pakistan are expected to release further updates once conditions stabilize and teams reassess the safety of the upper route.