ISLAMABAD (AP) — Nirmal Purja, a distinguished British-Nepali climber, has been confirmed dead along with nine other climbers after they were swept away by an avalanche in Pakistan. The tragic incident occurred on Broad Peak, one of the highest mountains in the Karakoram range, and was reported by Purja’s expedition company, Elite Exped, on Saturday.

In a heartfelt statement, Elite Exped expressed its deep sorrow, stating, “The world has lost one of mountaineering’s greatest climbers.” The company emphasized the collective grief for all lives lost, remarking that “No words can ease the pain of this unimaginable loss.” The expedition comprised ten climbers who faced the deadly avalanche on Thursday.

Rescue teams managed to locate four bodies, recovering three of them under challenging conditions. Bad weather impeded the operation of search-and-rescue helicopters, complicating efforts to resume the search for the remaining climbers on Saturday, as reported by military sources. The operations were spearheaded by rescue teams, including local sherpas, who engaged in the perilous task of searching amidst the unforgiving mountain environment.

The president of the Alpine Club of Pakistan, Irfan Arshad Khan, reflected on the tragedy, emphasizing the loss to the global climbing community. He praised the bravery of the rescuers, stating, “The loss of these courageous climbers, who came from different nations united by their passion for the mountains, is an immeasurable loss.” Khan further highlighted the beauty and inherent dangers of the high Himalaya and Karakoram mountains, reminding all of the significant risks faced by mountaineers.

According to local officials, the remains of Nathira Ahmed, an Omani climber, were being transported to Islamabad, while American climber Mallory Geis and Nepalese climber Bahadur Gurung remained at a hospital in Skardu, the principal city in Pakistan’s northern Gilgit-Baltistan region. A family statement from Geis reflected her vibrant spirit, saying, “Mallory was a bright light who was loved deeply by her family and friends. She will be profoundly missed.”

Nirmal Purja, also known as Nims Dai, was a prominent figure in the mountaineering world, celebrated for his extraordinary feat of climbing the world’s 14 tallest peaks in just 189 days in 2019, an accomplishment that gained widespread recognition through the Netflix documentary “14 Peaks: Nothing Is Impossible.” Purja has inspired countless individuals with his belief in human potential, as noted in his company’s statement, which described him as “a leader who inspired millions through his courage, humility, and unwavering belief that human potential is far greater than we often imagine.”

The climbing expedition marked Geis’s inaugural attempt at an 8,000-meter peak in Pakistan, while it was anticipated to be the final endeavor for guide Sakhi, who was also recognized for his contributions as a geographer and high-altitude photographer. Given the challenging conditions in northern Pakistan, accidents on climbing expeditions are unfortunately common due to avalanches, falling ice and rock, high altitudes, and unpredictable weather.

As search efforts continue in the wake of this devastating incident, the mountaineering community mourns the loss of not only skilled climbers but also passionate adventurers who cherished the challenges posed by the majestic yet perilous mountains.