Prince William expresses sorrow over death of renowned mountaineer Nirmal Purja in Pakistan avalanche
Prince William has expressed his profound sadness following the death of renowned mountaineer Nirmal Purja, who was killed in an avalanche on Pakistan's Broad Peak on July 30, 2026. The 43-year-old climber, who became internationally recognized through the 2021 Netflix documentary '14 Peaks: Nothing Is Impossible,' died alongside all nine other members of his international expedition team.
The Prince of Wales, who has served as Patron of Mountain Rescue England and Wales since May 2007, issued a statement saying he was 'truly saddened' to learn of Purja's death. His longstanding connection to mountain rescue causes dates back to December 2005, when he spent time with an RAF Mountain Rescue Team in North Wales.
Record-breaking mountaineering achievements
Purja, a former British Army soldier who served for 16 years, achieved legendary status in the mountaineering world through his extraordinary accomplishments. In 2019, he shattered the previous record by climbing all 14 of the world's peaks above 8,000 meters in just 189 days—six months and six days. The previous record had stood at just under eight years. His remarkable achievement was documented in the Netflix film that brought his story to global audiences.
Though his 2019 record was later broken in 2023 by Kristin Harila and Tenjen Lama Sherpa, who completed the challenge in 92 days, Purja's legacy extends far beyond speed records. In recognition of his achievements in extreme high-altitude mountaineering, he was awarded an MBE in 2018.
Military service and elite credentials
His military background added another dimension to his climbing prowess. Purja served first with the Brigade of Gurkhas before joining the Special Boat Service, an elite special forces unit of the Royal Navy, demonstrating the discipline and resilience that would later define his mountaineering career.
Among his many accomplishments, Purja was part of a historic 10-member all-Nepalese team that completed the first-ever winter ascent of K2, the world's second-highest mountain, in January 2021. He also captured one of mountaineering's most controversial images—a viral 2019 photograph showing climbers queuing in a long line near Mount Everest's summit, which sparked worldwide debate about overcrowding on the mountain.
The tragedy on Broad Peak
The tragedy occurred on Broad Peak, the world's 12th-highest mountain at 8,051 meters (26,414 feet), located in Pakistan's Karakoram range. The avalanche claimed the lives of all 10 members of the international expedition, which included climbers from Nepal, the United States, Oman, Pakistan, and China.
The mountaineering community has mourned the loss of Purja and his teammates, recognizing not only their individual talents but also the spirit of international cooperation they embodied. Purja's contributions to high-altitude climbing, from breaking records to documenting the realities of modern mountaineering, have left an indelible mark on the sport.
His death represents a significant loss to both the climbing world and the broader community of adventurers who push the boundaries of human achievement in some of the planet's most unforgiving environments.
