'Your legacy will live forever': Nepal mourns climber Nirmal Purja

Nepal is in mourning after a tragic avalanche claimed the lives of all 10 members of an expedition on Pakistan's Broad Peak, including celebrated climber Nirmal Purja. Known as Nims, Purja was a British-Nepali mountaineer renowned for his remarkable feat of climbing the world's 14 tallest peaks in just over six months. His death has sent shockwaves through the global mountaineering community, with tributes pouring in from various quarters.

Nepal's Prime Minister Balendra Shah and his family paid tribute to Purja, acknowledging his courage, dedication, and contribution that will forever remain inspiring. Purja's brother Kamal expressed his profound grief, stating that his brother was not only his younger sibling but also his heart. The Small Heaven School in Chitwan district, where Purja once studied, also mourned his passing, with students and staff lighting candles in his memory.

Purja's school hostel supervisor, Shailendra Baral, recalled the young and fearless climber who was always committed to achieving greatness. Fellow mountaineer Bahadur Panta, who had prayed for Purja during his disappearance, acknowledged that despite the tragedy, the world would remember him as a legend. Social media was flooded with tributes to Purja, with many describing him as a "legend" who had brought pride to Nepal.

Purja's achievements included serving in the British military for 16 years, earning an MBE for his high-altitude mountaineering, and becoming the first Gurkha to climb Everest while in the military. However, recent allegations of sexual misconduct against him emerged in 2024, which he denied through his lawyer. Despite these controversies, Purja's legacy as an exceptional climber and a role model in Nepal's climbing community remains intact.