Who Were the 10 Climbers Killed in the Broad Peak Avalanche?

An avalanche on Broad Peak, a mountain in northern Pakistan, killed 10 climbers on July 30, 2026. The victims came from Nepal, Oman, Pakistan, China, and the United States. Rescue teams have since recovered the bodies of seven of the climbers, while two remain missing and one was found in an area too dangerous to reach. The disaster drew attention around the world because of who the climbers were — record-setters, trailblazers, and dedicated guides.

The most well-known victim was Nirmal Purja, a 43-year-old mountaineer born in Nepal who later became a British citizen. He set a world record by climbing all 14 of the world's highest peaks in just 189 days. His story was told in a Netflix documentary called 14 Peaks: Nothing Is Impossible, which made him famous far beyond the climbing world. He was often called 'Nims Dai' by fellow climbers who admired him.

Nadhira Ahmed Abdullah Al Harthy was an Omani mountaineer who made history in 2019 when she became the first Omani woman to reach the top of Mount Everest, the world's highest peak. She later climbed K2 and Manaslu, two other towering mountains. Many people around the Arab world saw her as a role model and called her an inspiration. Saudi-Lebanese climber Nelly Attar wrote a heartfelt tribute to her online, saying, 'You were a beacon of light and strength.'

Pur Bahadur Gurung, 37, who went by the nickname 'Yukta,' was one of Nepal's most skilled high-altitude guides. He started his career as a porter and cook before becoming an elite climber. Over more than 20 years, he reached the top of Everest seven times and summited 11 of the world's 14 highest peaks. He also worked as a guide for Nirmal Purja's expedition company, Elite Exped.

American climber Mallory Geis was 39 years old and had sold her Pilates fitness business in San Antonio, Texas, to follow her dream of climbing full time. Broad Peak was going to be her first major high-altitude climb. She called it her 'first big kid climbing expedition' in a social media post before she left. Her family said, 'Mallory was a bright light who was loved deeply by her family and friends.'

Chinese climber Wang Zhong, 52, was very close to achieving one of mountaineering's greatest goals. He had already climbed 12 of the world's 14 peaks above 8,000 meters, and he hoped Broad Peak would become his 13th. He had recently climbed Nanga Parbat alongside his guide, Kili Pemba Sherpa, just weeks before the avalanche. Both men died together on Broad Peak.

Pakistani guide Sohail Sakhi was from Hunza, a region in northern Pakistan, and founded an adventure company called Moving Mountains. He was known for climbing in an 'alpine style,' which means climbing with very little equipment and support. He was committed to mentoring young Pakistani climbers and had plans to launch a new trail project in 2026. He was guiding Mallory Geis when the avalanche struck, and his body has not been found.

Gyalu Sherpa was a rising star in Nepali mountaineering who held a Guinness World Record for summiting Kanchenjunga three times in a single climbing season. He worked for a company called Seven Summit Treks and had climbed Everest many times. His director described him as a standout talent in Nepal's climbing community. He had also completed several other challenging peaks across the Himalayas.

Nima Sherpa was a senior guide who worked closely with Nirmal Purja at Elite Exped. He grew up in a farming family in eastern Nepal and had climbed four mountains above 8,000 meters. He was known as one of Purja's most trusted partners and joined many major expeditions together. His death alongside Purja was a tremendous loss for the entire team.

Nawang Thindu Sherpa was just 28 years old and already considered one of Nepal's brightest young climbing talents. He had summited Everest, Lhotse, Manaslu, Kangchenjunga, and Makalu, among other great peaks. Mountaineering ran in his family — his father and three brothers were all experienced high-altitude climbers. A local leader said his death was 'a major loss to Nepal's mountaineering community' and that the country would always remember his contribution.