Nirmal “Nims” Purja is among 10 climbers missing after a massive avalanche struck Broad Peak in Pakistan’s Karakoram Mountains on Thursday, July 30. The Alpine Club of Pakistan said the entire team had been out of communication since the avalanche, with rescue efforts expected to reach the mountain on Friday morning local time.
It is a stark reminder of how quickly conditions can turn on one of the world’s most remote 8,000-meter peaks. Broad Peak stands 26,400 feet tall, and the isolated terrain of the Karakoram means communication remains limited and helicopter rescue is often difficult, especially when weather and operational conditions are uncertain.
What happened on Broad Peak?
The avalanche hit during the Pakistan climbing season, when expeditions typically move in the summer months to take advantage of more stable weather patterns and longer daylight hours. Pakistan’s five 8,000-meter peaks have drawn growing interest from climbers in recent years, but the risks remain severe.
According to the Alpine Club of Pakistan, “every possible effort is being made to ensure that helicopter support and all available rescue resources are mobilized at the earliest opportunity, subject to weather and operational conditions.”
That line captures the reality of rescue work in the Karakoram. Even with the best response possible, the mountain environment can slow every step.
Who is Nims Purja?
Purja was leading an expedition for his company, Elite Exped, when the avalanche occurred. He remains one of the best-known figures in modern Himalayan climbing after the 2021 release of Netflix’s 14 Peaks: Nothing Is Impossible, which chronicled his speed-record attempt on the world’s 14 peaks above 8,000 meters.
His recent climbing record has also underlined his place in the sport. On July 21, he completed his 57th successful ascent of an 8,000-meter peak with an oxygenless climb of Gasherbrum II. In May 2026, he climbed from the summit of Mount Everest to the summit of neighbouring Lhotse without supplemental oxygen.
Purja has also faced allegations of sexual assault during expeditions, as reported by. More recently, he inaugurated a new porter shelter in the Everest region for workers carrying goods for Everest expeditions.
For now, though, the focus is on the missing climbers and the rescue operation. The key question is whether teams can reach Broad Peak quickly enough to make a difference when the mountain is still dangerous and the weather remains a major factor.
