King Charles III and Prince William have paid heartfelt tributes to celebrated Nepal-born British mountaineer Nirmal Purja after he was killed in a devastating avalanche on Pakistan’s Broad Peak, praising his military service, extraordinary climbing achievements and lasting legacy in the world of mountaineering.Purja, widely known as “Nims Dai”, was leading an expedition on Broad Peak when an avalanche struck, killing him and several members of his team. Rescue teams continue to search for two climbers who remain missing amid severe weather and hazardous conditions.
King Charles remembers decorated soldier turned mountaineer
In a message released following Purja’s death, King Charles described him as a man who first served with distinction in the British Army before becoming one of the world’s most respected high-altitude climbers.The monarch praised Purja’s courage, determination and remarkable achievements, saying he inspired people around the world through his record-breaking expeditions and relentless pursuit of seemingly impossible goals.Charles also acknowledged that Purja’s influence extended far beyond mountaineering, making him a globally admired figure.
Prince William: ‘One of the world’s greatest’
Prince William said he was “truly saddened” by the tragedy, calling Purja “one of the world’s greatest mountaineers” and “truly unique.”In a social media post, the Prince of Wales said Purja served with distinction in the British Armed Forces before transforming the world of mountaineering.“Nims served with distinction in the British Armed Forces before becoming one of the world’s greatest mountaineers, putting Nepalese climbers on the map. His relentless pursuit of what seemed impossible, combined with his humility and selflessness, made him truly unique,” William wrote.He also extended his condolences to Purja’s family and to the families of all those who died in the avalanche.
Search continues for missing climbers
The avalanche struck Broad Peak, the world’s 12th-highest mountain, in Pakistan’s Gilgit-Baltistan region during Purja’s expedition.Search and rescue operations remain underway for two missing climbers, though efforts have been hampered by heavy snowfall, harsh weather and the treacherous terrain of one of the world’s most challenging peaks.Broad Peak, located in Pakistan’s Karakoram range, is regarded as one of the toughest mountains to climb because of its extreme altitude and unpredictable conditions.
Who was Nirmal Purja?
Born in Nepal and later becoming a British citizen, Purja rose from serving in the British Army and Royal Marines to becoming one of the most celebrated names in modern mountaineering.He shot to international fame in 2019 after completing his ambitious “Project Possible,” climbing all 14 mountains above 8,000 metres in a record 189 days—smashing the previous record of nearly eight years.His feat was later chronicled in the Netflix documentary 14 Peaks: Nothing Is Impossible, bringing his remarkable journey to a global audience.Purja was leading a multinational expedition on Broad Peak that included climbers from Nepal, the United States, Oman, China and Pakistan when the fatal avalanche struck.His expedition company, Elite Exped, confirmed his death, prompting an outpouring of tributes from world leaders, climbers and admirers across the globe.