Nirmal Purja’s Mortal Remains, Four Other Climbers Airlifted to Skardu After Broad Peak Avalanche

August 6, 2026

Skardu: Mortal remains of renowned mountaineer Nirmal Purja and four other climbers have been airlifted to Skardu after they were killed in an avalanche on Pakistan’s Broad Peak mountain, local media reported on Thursday.

A 10-member international expedition led by 43-year-old Purja on Broad Peak, one of the world’s highest mountains, lost contact after an avalanche struck the area on July 30.

Bodies transported to Skardu hospital

The Alpine Club of Pakistan (ACP) confirmed that the bodies of Nirmal Purja, Wang Zhong, Nima Sherpa, Gyalu Sherpa and Killi Pemba ‘Kilu’ Sherpa were transported to Skardu CMH Hospital by helicopter after one of the most challenging recovery operations on Broad Peak.

The ACP said that after completing necessary procedures and documentation, the remains will be transferred to Islamabad for repatriation to their respective countries.

Seven bodies have so far been recovered and airlifted to Skardu, while the search operation continues for the eighth day. Pakistani mountaineer Sohail Sakhi and American climber Sarah Mallory Geis remain missing.

Naila Kiani of the ACP said the body of Nawang Thindu Sherpa was spotted but could not be recovered due to its location in a high-altitude area.

Fund launched for families of mountain guides

The Nimsdai Foundation, a charity founded by Purja, has launched the Broad Peak Guides’ Family Support Fund to provide financial assistance to the families of the mountain guides who lost their lives in the avalanche.

Purja, a former British Gurkha soldier, became globally famous in 2019 after climbing all 14 peaks above 8,000 metres in just over six months under his “Project Possible” campaign. He broke the previous record of nearly eight years.

By summiting Broad Peak, Purja aimed to become the first person to climb all 14 eight-thousanders twice. However, the expedition ended in tragedy after the deadly avalanche claimed the lives of him and four other climbers.

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