Story perspectives

Avalanche on Broad Peak Kills Nirmal Purja, Nine Others

8/5/2026

Summary

Story summary

An avalanche on Broad Peak on July 30, 2026 killed Nirmal Purja and nine climbers.
Elite Exped said the 43-year-old mountaineer led a ten-person expedition near 6,600 m.
The victims included Nepali guides and climbers from Pakistan, Oman, China and the United States.
The Alpine Club of Pakistan used helicopters to recover seven bodies and locate three more near 5,700 m.
World leaders called the loss immeasurable while experts linked it to 20-30 cm of snowfall.

History

Historical Context

The May 10-11 1996 Mount Everest blizzard killed eight climbers, including leaders Rob Hall and Scott Fischer, and made the season the deadliest with 12 fatalities. The tragedy spurred the UIAA to tighten high-altitude safety rules, a standard now pressuring the Alpine Club of Pakistan to improve rescue plans for incidents like today’s Broad Peak avalanche.

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Story summary

An avalanche on Broad Peak on July 30, 2026 killed Nirmal Purja and nine climbers.
Elite Exped said the 43-year-old mountaineer led a ten-person expedition near 6,600 m.
The victims included Nepali guides and climbers from Pakistan, Oman, China and the United States.
The Alpine Club of Pakistan used helicopters to recover seven bodies and locate three more near 5,700 m.
World leaders called the loss immeasurable while experts linked it to 20-30 cm of snowfall.

1 / 2