Nepal mourns legendary mountaineer Nirmal Purja after avalanche on Broad Peak
A sudden avalanche on Thursday on Pakistan’s Broad Peak took the lives of all ten members of a climbing expedition, including Nepalese‑British mountaineer Nirmal Purja, best known for completing the 14 highest peaks in a half‑year span.
The tragedy shocked the Nepali community and the wider mountaineering world. Nepal’s Prime Minister Balendra Shah offered a moving tribute, calling Purja’s courage, dedication and contribution “an inspiring legacy that will live forever”.
On social media a friend of Purja’s, Kamal, wrote that his brother’s sudden death felt like losing a whole world. Cancer, “My brother was not only my younger brother – he was my heart” – their grief and pride for his achievements were evident in the online discussions.
At Small Heaven School, where Purja once studied, students and staff lit candles to honour the mountaineer, and school staff Sarbagya Paudel said his bravery set a proud example for the school and Nepal alike.
Purja’s legacy is also remembered by those who knew him from his school days. Hostel supervisor Shailendra Baral described him as a fearless, honest and obedient student who displayed courage even as a child.
Friends and fans worldwide took to platforms to praise the legend, with many saying the country had lost a hero and that “their legacy will live on”.
Nirmal Purja rose to international fame after a 2021 Netflix documentary chronicled his “speed climbing” record. His 16‑year service with the British military, during which he spent 10 years in special forces, earned him an MBE from the late Queen in 2018. Despite his record, the expansive Nepal community mourned him for his contributions to the country's guiding and climbing culture, reminding us of the heavy price paid by Himalayan adventurers.
