Nirmal Purja Killed in Broad Peak Avalanche

Overview

• An avalanche struck Broad Peak on July 30, 2026, killing ten people who were part of the same expedition, including leader Nirmal Purja.
• Elite Exped announced Purja’s death on August 1 and the Pakistan Alpine Club said rescue teams recovered his body at about 5,700 meters the following day.
• Purja rose to global prominence after his 2019 'Project Possible' run that summited all 14 eight‑thousanders in six months and was the subject of Netflix’s '14 Peaks', and he founded the expedition company Elite Exped.
• A 2024 New York Times report had published sexual‑abuse allegations against Purja that he denied through his lawyers, a separate part of his public record not connected to the avalanche.
• Leaders and figures including Nepal’s prime minister and Prince William issued condolences, his family survives him, and the deaths are likely to prompt renewed scrutiny of safety on high‑altitude commercial climbs.