KATHMANDU, Aug 2: The Alpine Club of Pakistan (ACP) has confirmed that the body of Nepali mountaineer Nirmal Purja, widely known as Nims Dai, has been recovered from Broad Peak in Pakistan.
According to the ACP, Purja’s body was found at an altitude of around 5,700 meters. He and his expedition team had been missing since an avalanche struck the mountain three days earlier.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the ACP said the rescue team had reached the site and found Purja’s body along with three other bodies whose identities have yet to be officially confirmed. Efforts are underway to transport the bodies to Japanese Camp.
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On Saturday, Purja’s expedition management company, Elite Exped, confirmed that he and the members of his climbing team had died in the avalanche.
The bodies of Omani climber Nadhira Ahmed Abdullah Al Harthy and Nepali climbers Pur Bahadur Gurung and Gyalu Sherpa were recovered on Saturday. The remains of American climber Sarah Mallory Geis were also found.
ACP Secretary General Ayaz Shigri said the rescue operation has been hampered by the mountain’s difficult terrain, continued avalanche risk and poor weather, which has prevented helicopter deployment. An eight-member ground rescue team comprising Pakistani and Nepali climbers is continuing the operation.
Purja’s expedition consisted of 10 members, including six Nepalis and one climber each from Pakistan, Oman, the United States and China.
The ACP said the available information is based on preliminary reports and urged the public not to circulate unverified information until official confirmation is completed.
