Kathmandu, 31 July (H.S.): Nepal's renowned mountaineer Nirmal Purja, popularly known as Nims Dai, is among a group of climbers reported missing after a massive avalanche struck Broad Peak in Pakistan. According to the Pakistan Alpine Club, an expedition team climbing the 8,047-metre-high Broad Peak in the Karakoram mountain range was hit by an avalanche on Thursday afternoon.

Preliminary information suggests that contact has been lost with 10 climbers following the incident. The group includes five Nepalese mountaineers, along with climbers from Pakistan, Oman, China and the United States. Among those missing is world-famous Nepalese mountaineer Nirmal Purja.

Purja gained international recognition in 2019 after successfully climbing all 14 peaks above 8,000 metres in the world in a record time of just six months and six days.

Expressing deep concern over the incident, the Pakistan Alpine Club said that search and rescue operations are being intensified in coordination with government authorities and relevant agencies. The club stated that once weather and operational conditions become favourable, all available rescue resources, including helicopters, will be deployed for the mission.

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar