Netflix star Nirmal Purja confirmed dead after going missing in avalanche

Scarlett O'Toole Sat, August 1, 2026 at 12:25 PM UTC

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Nirmal Purja has died -Credit:AFP via Getty Images

Netflix star Nirmal Purja has been confirmed as among those who died after an avalanche hit Pakistan earlier this week.

The avalanche happened when a snow-and-ice tsunami hit Broad Peak mountain around 12 p.m. local time on Thursday, July 30. Purja, 43, was leading a 10-person expedition up the 26,400-ft mountain peak when the avalanche struck. The Netflix star was among six people missing after the incident.

Two bodies had already been recovered by a search and rescue team, with Purja's Garmin watch suggesting he had fallen a distance of around 2,000 feet when the avalanche hit. Purja's body was later found following search efforts, his climbing company Elite Expeditions said in a social media post on Saturday, August 1.

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Posting on Instagram, the company wrote, "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."

The tribute continued, "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."

Elite Expeditions wrote, "The world has lost one of mountaineering's greatest climbers; a leader who inspired millions through his courage, humility and unwavering belief that human potential is far greater than we often imagine.

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"More than his extraordinary achievements, he wanted to show the world what was possible when you dared to dream bigger, believed in yourself and refused to accept limitations. Through his actions, he inspired millions of people to believed that they, too, could achieve more than they ever thought possible."

The company said Purja's legacy "will live on in the countless lives he changed and the people he inspired to climb their own mountains." They added, "We also extend our sincere gratitude to the search and rescue teams and everyone who supported the response under incredibly difficult circumstances."

His death was announced on Instagram -Credit:AFP via Getty Images

Elite Expeditions said they will not be making any further comment on the tragedy "out of respect for all the families involved." The Instagram post concluded, "Nims, and to all those who lost their lives. You will never be forgotten; your spirit, your purpose and your legacy will continue to inspire generations to come."

Fans offered their condolences in the comments of the Instagram post, with one person writing, "Rest in peace Nims Dai. Not only people, even the mountains will remember your legacy."

Someone else shared, "This loss is irreplaceable. He may no longer be with us.. but his determination and dedication will continue to inspire us whenever we feel like giving up or think this is the end." A third fan added, "The mountaineering world lost one of its greatest climbers. Will always remember your words - Giving up is not in the blood, Sir. You are forever in our hearts."

Fans have been sharing their condolences -Credit:AP Photo/Niranjan Shrestha

Purja, also known as Nims, shot to fame in 2019 when he climbed the world's 14 highest mountains, all with peaks above 26,247 ft, in 189 days. In doing so, he broke a world record. His achievement as documented in Netflix's 14 Peaks: Nothing Is Impossible.

He began his world-record attempt on April 23, 2019, with Annapurna, before climbing Everest in May and K2 in July. He also climbed Broad Peak, Kangchenjunga, Lhotse, Makalu, Cho Oyu, Dhaulagiri I, Manaslu, Nanga Parbat, Gasherbrum I, Gasherbrum II, and Shishapangma.

"'It has been a grueling but humbling six months, and I hope to have proven that anything is possible with some determination, self-belief, and positivity," he said at the time.

Purja continued, "I could not have made it happen without the unending support of my friends and family who have been in my heart this entire time. We started with nothing, but look how far we've come."

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Source: “AOL Entertainment”