Prince William honours world-famous climber Nirmal Purja who died in Pakistan avalanche
Prince William has paid tribute to a former British Army soldier who died after 10 mountaineers were hit by an avalanche in Pakistan on Thursday.
Nirmal Purja was leading a group up Broad Peak, one of the world’s highest mountains, when an avalanche hit around midday.
The bodies of three climbers – Nadhira Alharthy, the first Omani woman to summit Mount Everest; Sarah Mallory Geis, an American climber; and Pur Bahadur Gurung, a Nepali climber – were recovered yesterday.
Purja’s guiding company, Elite Exped, confirmed today that the British-Nepali mountaineer, 43, was also killed.
Speaking this evening, the Prince of Wales said he was ‘truly saddened’ by the news, writing on social media that Purja was ‘one of the world’s greatest mountaineers’ and ‘truly unique’.
He added that his thoughts are with his family and the families of all those who died.
The post said: ‘I was truly saddened to hear of the tragic death of Nirmal Purja and those who lost their lives in the avalanche on Broad Peak.
‘Nims served with distinction in the British Armed Forces before becoming one of the world’s greatest mountaineers, putting Nepalese climbers on the map.
‘His relentless pursuit of what seemed impossible, combined with his humility and selflessness, made him truly unique.
‘My thoughts are with his family and the families of all those who died.’
It was signed ‘W’.
In their original statement, Elite Exped said on Instagram: ‘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.
‘Our deepest thoughts, prayers and heartfelt condolences are with their families, friends and loved ones. No words can erase the pain of this unimaginable loss, and we ask that everyone respects their privacy as they grieve.’
TV survivalist Bear Grylls paid tribute to Purja on Instagram, calling him a ‘remarkable and unique man’.
‘Broad Peak, I ask for nothing but safe passage up’
Purja, a former Royal Marines soldier, is a renowned mountaineer who climbed all 14 of the world’s 8,000-meter peaks, called the eight-thousanders, in record time in 2019.
It was chronicled in the 2021 Netflix documentary, 14 Peaks: Nothing Is Impossible.
He managed the feat without supplemental oxygen in 2024 – that same year, he was accused of sexual abuse by multiple female climbers.
His lawyer said his client ‘unequivocally denied’ the ‘false and defamatory’ accusations.
Purja hoped to summit all 14 peaks again without oxygen this year, writing on X on Monday that Broad Peak was the penultimate mountain.
‘Broad Peak, I ask for nothing but safe passage up and back down,’ he said.
‘I take zero mountains for granted. Not one. The moment my foot leaves basecamp, it’s 100%. Always has been. Always will be.’
Purja was among 10 climbers, spread in four teams, who set off for Broad Peak in the Karakoram range on Thursday morning.
By 9am, communication with the climbers was lost. Officials said an avalanche hit them when they were at an altitude of 6,600 meters.
The search and rescue began the following morning but was hindered by bad weather and the remote location.
The Alpine Club of Pakistan said earlier today that two bodies have been recovered, as well as the ‘amputated’ leg of Geis.
‘Authorities have also reported locating several additional bodies through aerial surveillance; however, official identification can only be confirmed once ground rescue teams safely reach the site,’ the club added.
Also missing are Sohail Sakhi, a renowned Pakistani alpinist; Wang Zhong, a Chinese climber; and Kili Pema Sherpa, a Nepali guide.
Just near Pakistan’s border with China, Broad Peak is the world’s 12th-highest mountain, rising 8,047 meters from the Karakoram range.
As of November, 39 people have died attempting to summit the mountain, according to The Himalayan Database.
