Body of Nirmal Purja recovered after legendary mountaineer confirmed dead in Pakistan Avalanche

Nirmal Purja's body has been recovered on Broad Peak following a huge avalanche in Pakistan.

The British-Nepali mountaineer, 43, was leading an expedition of 10 climbers on the world’s 12th highest mountain in the north of the country when the avalanche struck midday on Thursday (30 July).

In an update on Sunday, the Alpine Club of Pakistan said the 43-year-old's body was found about 5,700m up the mountain.

Three other bodies were also sighted, while their identities have not yet been confirmed.

Purja, who was a former British Army and Royal Marines soldier, climbed all 14 of the world’s mountains with peaks above 8,000 metres (26,247ft) in 189 days back in 2019, smashing the previous record by more than seven years.

The challenge was the focus of a Netflix documentary called 14 Peaks: Nothing Is Impossible.

Mountaineer and Netflix Star Nirmal Purja died following an huge avalanche in Pakistan earlier this week (Nirmal Purja)

His company, Elite Expeditions, said he was among 10 people were killed in the avalanche.

In a post shared to Instagram on Saturday, they said: “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.

“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.”

Purja served in the British military for 16 years, 10 of which were spent in the special forces.

Purja was awarded an MBE by the late Queen in 2018 for his achievement in extreme high-altitude mountaineering (Nirmal Purja)

He was also enlisted by former Made in Chelsea star Spencer Matthews to help recover the body of his brother Michael, the youngest Briton to summit Everest who disappeared on the mountain in 1999.

Matthews said on Saturday that he was praying 'for a miracle'.

The 37-year-old said in the post: “The mountains inspire us with their beauty but they also demand immense respect.

“Every person who ventures into that world understands the risks, yet they go anyway, driven by curiosity, purpose, passion and a deep love for the places few will ever experience.

“The news from Broad Peak is heartbreaking. So many lives, families, friends and teammates now facing unimaginable loss. Our thoughts are with everyone affected by this tragedy. May those who have been lost be remembered not only for how they died, but for how they lived, the courage they showed, and the lived they touched. Rest in peace. To those not yet found, we pray for a miracle.”

British adventurer Bear Grylls also paid tribute to Purja, writing on Instagram: “Heartbreaking news for so many climbers around the world who had a relationship with this remarkable and unique man. We will never forget you Nims and your unstoppable spirit.”