Ten climbers, including renowned mountaineer Nirmal "Nims" Purja, were confirmed dead Saturday after an avalanche on one of the world's highest mountains in northern Pakistan, bringing a tragic end to a days-long search.
Purja, the celebrated Nepalese climber whose record-breaking career was chronicled in the 2021 Netflix documentary "14 Peaks: Nothing Is Impossible," was among the victims, according to his expedition company, Elite Exped.
The group had been missing since Thursday, July 30, after an avalanche swept down Broad Peak, the world's 12th-highest mountain, in Pakistan's Gilgit-Baltistan region. Although officials have identified the victims' location, the bodies remain in a difficult-to-reach area and have not been recovered.
"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," Elite Exped said in its Instagram statement. The company added that it had also confirmed the deaths of the other members of the expedition.
Sajid Hussain, deputy director of the tourism department in Pakistan's Gilgit-Baltistan region, told Reuters rescue teams have identified the victims' location but have not yet been able to safely recover the bodies. Authorities said drone surveillance and aerial reconnaissance helped locate all 10 victims after search crews spent days combing the mountain.
Chhang Dawa Sherpa, a board director of Seven Summit Treks, said Pakistan does not have the long-line helicopter rescue capability commonly used in Nepal, making high-altitude recovery efforts especially challenging.
The expedition included climbers from Nepal, Pakistan, Oman, the United States and China.
Purja was widely regarded as one of the world's most accomplished mountaineers.
A former Gurkha and member of the United Kingdom's elite Special Boat Service, he made history in 2019 by climbing all 14 of the world's mountains higher than 8,000 meters, about 26,250 feet, in just over six months, shattering the previous record.
He later helped lead the first successful winter ascent of K2, the world's second-highest mountain, and became known throughout the climbing community for repeatedly risking his life to rescue fellow mountaineers in distress, The Guardian reported.
Nepal Prime Minister Balendra Shah said he was "stunned" by the deaths, writing on social media that although "only the physical journey" of the climbers had ended, "the history of their courage, dedication and contributions will always remain alive and inspiring."
British climber Kenton Cool, who has summited Mount Everest 20 times, described Purja to Reuters as a "charismatic" figure who helped reshape high-altitude guiding.
Reporter Anthony Thompson can be reached at [email protected], or on X @athompsonUSAT.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Netflix documentary climber Nirmal Purja among 10 dead in avalanche