Renowned British-Nepali mountaineer Nirmal Purja is among 10 people confirmed killed in an avalanche on Broad Peak in Pakistan, his company, Elite Expeditions, announced. Purja, 43, died in the avalanche that occurred on Thursday. The announcement was met with profound sadness and immense heartbreak from his company and family.

Purja, born in Nepal and a former soldier in the British army, achieved international fame for his record-breaking feat of climbing the world's 14 highest peaks in just over six months in 2019. This accomplishment was further highlighted by a 2021 Netflix documentary, "14 Peaks: Nothing Is Impossible."

Pakistani officials had earlier reported the recovery of bodies belonging to three climbers from Purja's expedition: American Mallory Geis, Nadhira Ahmed Abdullah Al Harthy from Oman, and Pur Bahadur Gurung from Nepal. The Prime Minister of Nepal, Balendra Shah, confirmed Purja's death, expressing shock at the tragic loss of six Nepalese and four foreign climbers in Pakistan's Karakoram mountain range.

The implications of this tragedy extend beyond the immediate loss of life, underscoring the inherent dangers of high-altitude mountaineering. Purja's leadership of the multinational climbing group on Broad Peak, the world's 12th-highest summit, meant that the avalanche impacted climbers from various nationalities, highlighting the global nature of the sport.

Purja's older brother, Kamal, shared his devastation, stating, "It is with the heaviest heart that I share the devastating news that my beloved younger brother, Nirmal 'Nimsdai' Purja, and the other climbers are no longer with us." He added that despite broken hearts, they were incredibly proud of his legacy.

UK Defence Secretary Wes Streeting paid tribute to Purja, calling him an "inspirational man" who served in the Armed Forces and whose "incredible mountaineering adventures are known the world over." Naila Kiani, a spokesperson for the Alpine Club of Pakistan involved in rescue efforts, described Purja as a "very experienced climber and fearless," having led many expeditions she was on.

Purja's 2019 record of climbing all mountains over 8,000 meters in 189 days shattered the previous record by more than seven years. He had served 16 years in the British military, including 10 in special forces, and was awarded an MBE by the late Queen in 2018 for his mountaineering achievements.

Teams in Pakistan had been searching for the climbers on the 8,047-meter (26,400ft) peak. Rescuers reported seeing bodies but had not yet reached them, adding to the uncertainty and sorrow surrounding the incident. The exact circumstances leading to the avalanche and the final moments of the expedition remain a focus of ongoing efforts and reporting.