Netflix star and former Royal Marine Nims Purja's body has been recovered from Broad Peak, the world's 12th highest mountain, after a devastating avalanche that killed him and several other climbers. The tragedy, which struck on Thursday, July 30, is considered one of the deadliest mountaineering disasters in Pakistan's history.
Recovery Operation
Purja, who was leading an expedition of 10 climbers, died when the avalanche hit at about midday. A week later, on Thursday, August 6, his body was retrieved and transported from the mountain, along with the bodies of Chinese climber Zhong Wang and Nepali climbers Nima Sherpa, Gyalu Sherpa, and Kilu Sherpa.
The recovery was confirmed by the President of the Alpine Club of Pakistan in a statement: "On behalf of the Alpine Club of Pakistan, it is announced with great sadness that, following an exceptionally challenging and technically demanding recovery operation on Broad Peak, the bodies of Nirmal Purja, Wang Zhong, Nima Sherpa and Kilu Sherpa have been successfully recovered and have now arrived safely at Base Camp."
Ground Team Efforts
The president also expressed gratitude to the recovery team, stating: "I extend my sincere gratitude to the dedicated ground recovery team, led by Mingma G and supported by Sirbaz Khan, Abid Baig, Sherbaz, Dipen Gurung and Pemba Chhewang Sherpa, whose courage, professionalism and selfless commitment made this recovery possible under extremely difficult conditions."
Officials have indicated that the bodies will be flown to Islamabad after coordination with the embassies of the climbers' home countries. However, some victims' bodies remain missing.
Purja's Legacy
Purja rose to prominence in 2019 when he climbed all 14 of the world's mountains with peaks above 8,000 metres (26,247ft) in 189 days, smashing the previous record by more than seven years. This achievement was the focus of the Netflix documentary 14 Peaks: Nothing Is Impossible, released in 2021.
In 2023, he was enlisted by former Made in Chelsea star Spencer Matthews to help recover the body of his brother Michael, the youngest Briton to summit Everest, who disappeared in 1999. Their efforts were captured in the documentary Finding Michael.
Confirmation of Death
His death was confirmed by his company, Elite Exped, in an Instagram post: "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. We have also received confirmation that other members of this expedition sadly did not survive. Today, we mourn not only Nims, but every life lost in this tragedy, including his trusted climbing partners and guides, Pur Bahadur Gurung (Yukta) and Nima Sherpa."
