Nepal Mourns Mountaineer Nirmal Purja After Tragic Avalanche

Nepal is in mourning after an avalanche killed climber Nirmal Purja and nine others on Broad Peak, sparking tributes from across the globe.

Nepal is grieving as tributes pour in for Nirmal Purja, the renowned British-Nepali mountaineer who lost his life along with nine others in a tragic avalanche on Pakistan’s Broad Peak. The expedition was attempting to scale the challenging 8,047-meter peak when disaster struck last Thursday, claiming the lives of all ten climbers, six of whom were from Nepal.

Purja, celebrated for his remarkable feat of climbing all 14 of the world’s tallest peaks in just over six months, has shocked the global mountaineering community with his untimely death. His contributions to the climbing world and his efforts to highlight the achievements of Nepali climbers have left a lasting legacy.

Nepal’s Prime Minister Balendra Shah expressed deep sorrow, praising Purja’s “history of courage, dedication and contribution” which he said would always remain inspiring. Purja’s brother, Kamal, shared a heartfelt tribute on social media, stating, “I feel as though I have lost my whole world. My brother was not only my younger brother – he was my heart. Although our hearts are broken, we are incredibly proud of you. Your legacy will live forever.”

The Small Heaven School in Chitwan, where Purja studied, held a candlelight vigil to honor his memory. Students and staff gathered to commemorate the impact he had on their lives. One student, Sarbagya Paudel, remarked on how Purja’s bravery serves as a model for their school, bringing immense pride to the nation.

Purja was remembered fondly as a fearless and committed individual since his childhood by those who knew him. His school hostel supervisor, Shailendra Baral, recalled him as an honest and obedient student whose determination inspired those around him. Another classmate, Bahadur Panta, shared how he prayed for Purja non-stop following the news of his disappearance. “It was not only me and my friends. I think people all over the world who knew him… prayed for him. But it was his fate, no one could avoid it,” he lamented.

Social media platforms have been flooded with honors to Purja, with many declaring that the nation is in a state of mourning for its “legend”. “Their legacy will live on,” one social media user posted as the tributes continued.

Purja achieved monumental success in his field, even earning an MBE from the late Queen in 2018 for his contributions to high-altitude mountaineering. He also made history as the first Gurkha to climb Everest while serving in the British military.

However, with acclaim came controversy. In a New York Times article published in 2024, allegations of sexual misconduct were made against Purja by two women, which he denied through his legal representation. Nonetheless, his achievements in climbing remained significant and widely recognized.

The other climbers on the ill-fated expedition included notable figures from the Nepali climbing community. Pur Bahadur Gurung, also known as Yukta, famously summited Everest ten times and was involved in discovering a historic shoe on the mountain in 2024. Fellow climber and guide Uttam Lapraki paid tribute to Yukta by recalling cherished memories shared on the summit.

In addition to Purja and Gurung, Kili Pemba Sherpa, another esteemed member of the team, was previously involved in a monumental winter ascent of K2 during a fully Nepali expedition in 2021. He had been a significant part of every climbing victory celebrated by his guiding company, Imagine Nepal.