The last known photograph of renowned mountaineer Nirmal "Nims" Purja and his expedition team has surfaced online, reportedly captured shortly before a deadly avalanche swept away the climbers on Broad Peak in the Karakoram range. Purja, a celebrated British-Nepali mountaineer, was among 10 climbers who lost their lives after the avalanche struck at an altitude of around 5,700 metres in the Pakistan-administered part of Kashmir. Rescuers recovered Purja’s body on Sunday, days after the avalanche tragedy that claimed the lives of the entire expedition team. The incident occurred on Broad Peak, one of the world’s highest mountains, standing at an elevation of 8,051 metres.
The disaster has sent shockwaves through the global mountaineering community, where Purja was widely respected for his extraordinary achievements and record-breaking climbs. The photograph, which has circulated online, was shared by Pakistan-based tour operator Karakoram Vision. The company claimed that the image and accompanying footage were captured on July 30, shortly before the avalanche struck the mountain.
The visuals reportedly showed the 10 international climbers, including Purja, making their way up Broad Peak during the expedition. In a social media post, Karakoram Vision said its team had observed the climbers from the base camp before the tragedy unfolded. The operator stated that the mountaineers appeared to be progressing towards the summit before a massive avalanche suddenly triggered above them.
According to the post, rescuers and observers later searched the upper slopes but could no longer see any members of the expedition team. "Our team captured this footage yesterday, July 30, right before tragedy struck. We were watching from base camp and could clearly see the 10 international climbers — including world-famous mountaineer Nirmal 'Nims' Purja — pushing up the mountain," the tour operator said in its post.
The avalanche on Broad Peak has been described as one of the deadliest recent incidents involving an international climbing expedition in the region. The Karakoram range, which spans parts of Pakistan, India and China, is known for some of the world’s most challenging peaks and unpredictable weather conditions. Climbers attempting these mountains often face risks from avalanches, extreme cold, unstable terrain and rapidly changing conditions.
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Nirmal Purja gained worldwide recognition after completing the "Project Possible" challenge in 2019, during which he climbed all 14 of the world’s peaks above 8,000 metres in just over six months. The achievement broke previous records and established him as one of the most accomplished high-altitude climbers in history.
Beyond his climbing records, Purja was also known for promoting mountaineering accessibility and supporting rescue efforts in the Himalayas. His achievements inspired climbers around the world, particularly those from Nepal, which has produced many of the world's most skilled high-altitude mountaineers.
The tragedy has renewed attention on the dangers faced by climbers attempting the world’s highest mountains. While advances in equipment, weather forecasting and rescue operations have improved safety, avalanches and natural hazards remain unpredictable threats in extreme environments.
As the mountaineering community mourns Purja and the other climbers who died in the Broad Peak avalanche, tributes have poured in from across the world. The final images of the team climbing towards the mountain have become a poignant reminder of both the courage of high-altitude explorers and the risks they undertake in pursuit of their goals.
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