Broad Peak Avalanche Claims Lives of 10 Climbers, Including Nirmal Purja; PM Shah Pays Tribute

 


Kathmandu, August 1 — The deaths of all 10 climbers caught in Thursday's avalanche on Broad Peak (8,051 meters) in Pakistan's Karakoram mountain range have been officially confirmed, including renowned Nepali mountaineer Nirmal Purja (Nimsdai).

The confirmation was announced on Saturday by the Nimsdai Foundation and Elite Exped through social media. Earlier, the bodies of four climbers had been recovered, while six others remained missing.

The tragedy claimed the lives of six Nepali and four foreign climbers. The Nepali victims were Nirmal Purja, Purbahadur Gurung, Nima Sherpa, Kili Pemba Sherpa, Gyalu Sherpa, and Nawang Thindu Sherpa. The foreign climbers were Sohel Shakhi of Pakistan, Wang Zhong of China, Nadira Ahmad of Oman, and Mallory Geis of the United States.

According to reports, the avalanche swept the climbers nearly 800 meters downhill from an altitude of over 6,000 meters. Rescue operations were severely hampered by poor weather conditions. Member of Parliament and Purja's professional associate, Mingma Gyabu (David) Sherpa, has traveled to Pakistan following the incident.

Nirmal Purja gained worldwide recognition in 2019 after setting a world record by climbing all 14 peaks above 8,000 meters in just six months and six days.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Balendra Shah expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy and paid tribute to the deceased climbers through a Facebook post.

The Prime Minister described mountaineering as more than just reaching a summit, calling it the highest expression of courage, discipline, sacrifice, and the determination to challenge human limits. He said the loss of six Nepali and four foreign climbers had deeply saddened him and expressed heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families.

He also stated that although the mountains often reward climbers with the glory of reaching the summit, they sometimes embrace them forever, adding that the courage and dedication of the deceased climbers will remain immortal in history.

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