Search teams recovered the body of celebrated British-Nepali mountaineer Nirmal Purja and three other climbers on Sunday after an avalanche on Broad Peak [2].
Purja was one of the world's most renowned high-altitude climbers, and his death marks a significant loss to the international mountaineering community. The recovery follows a multi-day search operation in the Karakoram range of northern Pakistan.
The avalanche struck the climbing party on Thursday, July 31, 2026 [2]. Broad Peak, located on the border between Pakistan and China, reaches an elevation of 8,051 metres (26,414 ft) [1]. Following the disaster, reports indicated that 10 people were missing [1].
Recovery teams located Purja's remains on Sunday, Aug. 2. Ayaz Shigri, secretary general of the Alpine Club of Pakistan, said Purja's body was found at approximately 5,700 metres (18,700 feet) on Broad Peak [4]. A spokesperson for the Alpine Club of Pakistan said he was found about 5,700 m up the mountain [3].
In addition to Purja, rescuers recovered three other bodies [2]. While some reports indicate these additional climbers have been identified, other sources say their identities have not yet been confirmed [3].
Rescuers described the operation as a recovery mission after the sudden avalanche killed the climbers [3]. The team worked in the challenging terrain of the high-altitude peak to reach the site where the bodies were sighted.
“Purja's body was found at approximately 5,700 metres (18,700 feet) on Broad Peak.”
The death of Nirmal Purja highlights the inherent risks of high-altitude climbing on Broad Peak, where sudden weather shifts and avalanches can occur regardless of a climber's experience. The discrepancy in the identification of the other three victims suggests that the recovery process is still ongoing and that official confirmation of the full casualty list may take more time as authorities coordinate with international embassies.
