Nepal is mourning the loss of ten mountaineers, including six Nepalese nationals, who perished in an avalanche on Pakistan's Broad Peak. Among the deceased was Nirmal Purja, a celebrated British-Nepali climber known globally for his record-breaking ascents.
Purja, also known as Nims, achieved international fame for scaling the world's 14 tallest mountains in just over six months. His death has sent shockwaves through the global mountaineering community and deeply affected Nepal, where he is revered for bringing greater recognition to Nepali climbing guides.
Nepal's Prime Minister Balendra Shah was among those who paid tribute, stating that Purja's "history of courage, dedication and contribution will always remain inspiring." In a heartfelt Facebook post, Purja's brother Kamal described losing his brother as losing his "whole world" but expressed immense pride in his achievements, noting, "Your legacy will live forever."
Mourning events took place in Nepal, including at the Small Heaven School in Chitwan district, where Purja was once a student. Students and staff gathered to light candles, with one student, Sarbagya Paudel, remarking that Purja's "bravery has set a great example for our school" and that he had brought "pride to Nepal."
Purja's former school hostel supervisor, Shailendra Baral, recalled him as a fearless and committed child. "We found courage in him even when he was a child," Baral told AFP. A school friend, Bahadur Panta, shared that he and others prayed for Purja's safety, acknowledging that "it was his fate, no one could avoid it."
Social media platforms were flooded with tributes, with many users describing Nepal as being in mourning and lamenting the loss of a "legend" and "many great climbers." Comments frequently stated that "Their legacy will live on."
Purja's accomplishments gained wider attention following a 2021 Netflix documentary that chronicled his remarkable mountaineering journey. The recent avalanche has resulted in the tragic loss of several of Nepal's most accomplished climbers.