Nirmal Purja: Renowned British Gurkha climber and Netflix star confirmed dead after avalanche

A renowned climber who served in the British special forces has died following an avalanche on one of the world's highest mountains.

The company co-founded by Nirmal Purja - Elite Exped - has confirmed that the former British Army and Royal Marines soldier has died in Pakistan.

Purja, 43, was leading a team on the 8,051m Broad Peak in northern Pakistan when the avalanche struck on Thursday.

In a post shared on Instagram, the company said: "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. We have also received confirmation that other members of this expedition sadly did not survive.

"Today, we mourn not only Nims, but every life lost in this tragedy including his trusted climbing partners and guides, Pur Bahadur Gurung (Yukta) and Nima Sherpa.

"Our deepest thoughts, prayers and heartfelt condolences are with their families, friends and loved ones. No words can erase the pain of this unimaginable loss, and we ask that everyone respects their privacy as they grieve."

Rescuers launched a search for the missing 10 climbers and initially found the bodies of four - identifying two of them as Nadhira Al Harthy from Oman, and Pur Bahadur Gurung "Yukta" from Nepal.

Broad Peak, in the Karakoram range, is the world's 12th highest mountain.

Purja, known as Nims, was a British citizen with an MBE, and one of the world's most renowned climbers.

He scaled the world's 14 highest peaks in just six months in 2019, holding a record for the fastest climb until Norwegian climber Kristin Harila beat him four years later.

His remarkable feat was the focus of a popular Netflix documentary, 14 Peaks: Nothing Is Impossible.

Purja, who was born in Nepal, was in the military for 16 years. His website says he was the first Gurkha to join the SBS (Special Boat Service), part of the British special forces.

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(c) Sky News 2026: Nirmal Purja: Renowned British Gurkha climber and Netflix star confirmed dead after avalanche