Nirmal Purja, the celebrated Nepali mountaineer, has died in an avalanche on Broad Peak in Pakistan, according to The Guardian, citing Elite Exped, the company Purja founded.
The avalanche struck on Thursday at an elevation of 6,579 metres, at around 9 a.m. local time. Purja was part of an 11-member team; Elite Exped confirmed that the other expedition members also did not survive.
The team included five Nepali climbers as well as nationals from the United States, Pakistan, Oman, and China. Rescue workers reported recovering four bodies on Friday.
Elite Exped said the company extended its deepest condolences to the families, friends, and loved ones of those lost.
In 2019, Purja set a record by summiting all 14 peaks above 8,000 metres in just over six months.
