The world loses a ‘superhero’ of the mountains; renowned mountaineer Nirmal Purja passes away

New Delhi: The death of famous Nepali mountaineer Nirmal Purja—known to the world as ‘Nims Dai’ or ‘Nims’—has been officially confirmed. He had gone missing following an avalanche while attempting to climb Broad Peak in Pakistan. His company, Elite Exped, announced the news via a statement on its official Instagram account.

The company stated that Nims lost his life in the avalanche; other members of the expedition also did not survive. This confirmation came on Saturday, ending two days of uncertainty and hope. On Thursday, the team was moving from Camp 2 to Camp 3 when they were struck by the avalanche. Contact with the team was completely lost immediately after the incident.

According to the Alpine Club of Pakistan, the ten-member international team included five Nepali mountaineers led by Nims. The remaining members comprised one mountaineer each from Pakistan, Oman, the USA, and China, along with another international member. Broad Peak stands at approximately 8,047 meters and is the world’s twelfth-highest mountain. This part of the Karakoram Range is known for its challenging ascent and sudden weather changes. The avalanche occurred at an altitude of around 6,600 meters, an area where the risk is highest.

Nepal’s Prime Minister Balendra Shah has expressed deep grief over the deaths of six Nepali and four foreign mountaineers, including the world-record-holding mountaineer Nirmal Purja. In a tribute message posted on Facebook, Prime Minister Shah stated that mountaineering is not merely a journey to reach the summit, but the ultimate expression of courage, discipline, sacrifice, and an indomitable self-confidence that challenges human limits. He remarked that while the Himalayas grant many the glory of reaching the summit, they sometimes embrace them forever in their fold; yet, mountaineers remain immortal in history due to their courage and dedication. Statement from Elite Exped
Elite Exped was founded by Nims himself. The company stated that today they are mourning the passing of Nims, as well as his trusted partners and guides, Purba Bahadur Gurung ‘Yukta’ and Nima Sherpa. The statement expressed condolences to their families, friends, and loved ones, and appealed for respect for their privacy.