Kathmandu, Aug 1: Ten climbers including a noted Nepali climber Nirmal Purja have been declared dead in an avalanche occurred during climbing in Pakistan. They had gone missing in an avalanche on Mt Broad Peak in Pakistan since Thursday.
The expedition led by veteran climber Nirmal Purja ‘Nims Dai’ includes Pur Bahadur Gurung ‘Yukta’, Kili Pemba Sherpa ‘Kilu’, Nima Sherpa, Nawang Thindu Sherpa and Gyalu Sherpa as well as Nadhira Ahmed Abdullah Al Harthy (Oman), Sohail Sakhi (Pakistan), Wang Zhong (China) and Mallory Geis (USA).
Among them, the bodies of four were recovered on Friday, while the remaining six are still missing.
The Nimsdai Foundation and the Elite Foundation through the social sites officially declared the death of them following the devastating avalanche on Broad Peak (8,047metres) in Pakistan’s Karakoram.
Purja who was born in Dana of Myagdi district, Nepal was the ex-British Gurkha. Along with them, six Nepalis perished in the avalanche.
Purja rose to prominence in 2019 following his successful ascents of world’s 8,000-metre peaks in six months and six days. With these feats, he had earned a world record. He also holds other mountaineering records.
As per the reports, an avalanche swept them down for 800 metres from the height of 6,000 metres. Adverse weather thwarted the prompt efforts to rescue the team.
Mingna Gyabu (David) Shepa, a professional colleague of Purja and the House of Representatives (HoR) member, left here for Pakistan on Friday.
Among the dead ones, Pur Bahadur is from Gorkha, Kili Pemba from Dolakha, Gyalu Sherpa from Okhaldunga, Nawang Thindu Sherpa and Nima Sherpa from Sankhuwasabha district.
