Celebrated Nepali mountaineer Nirmal Purja has died in an avalanche during an expedition in Pakistan, according to his company. The climber, known worldwide for his speed record on the world’s 14 highest peaks, was reported among 10 people killed in the disaster.
Purja became one of the best-known figures in modern mountaineering after completing the ascent of all 14 of the world’s 8,000-meter mountains in record time. His profile also grew beyond climbing circles through Netflix, helping make him one of the most recognizable names in high-altitude expeditions.
The accident happened while the team was attempting Pakistan’s mountain known as the world’s 12th highest peak. Early reports indicated that nine others also died in the avalanche, making the incident a major tragedy for the expedition and the wider climbing community.
News of Nirmal Purja’s death is likely to resonate far beyond South Asia, given his status as a national hero in Nepal and an influential figure in global mountaineering. His achievements had reshaped expectations of what elite climbers could accomplish on the world’s highest mountains.
