Renowned climber confirmed dead after Pakistan avalanche
Renowned mountaineer Nirmal Purja and several other climbers have died following a powerful avalanche on Broad Peak in Pakistan. Search teams confirmed the fatalities after the expedition team was struck at an altitude of 6,600 meters.
Why it matters
The loss of a high-profile figure in the mountaineering community highlights the extreme risks associated with high-altitude climbing and the impact of unpredictable weather events.
Renowned mountaineer Nirmal Purja is among those who have died after a powerful avalanche on one of the world's highest peaks, his climbing company has confirmed.
The 43-year-old was one of ten climbers missing following the avalanche in Pakistan.
The British-Nepali mountaineer was leading an expedition of the climbers on Broad Peak - the world's 12th highest mountain - in the north of the country when the avalanche struck on Thursday.
Following search efforts which resumed this morning, his company Elite Exped confirmed that Mr Purja was killed.
"It is with profound sadness and immense heartbreak that we confirm that Nirmal Purja tragically lost his life following the avalanche on Broad Peak," it said in a statement on social media.
"We have also received confirmation that other members of the expedition sadly did not survive."
Yesterday, the remains of three mountaineers were recovered by search teams.
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