Fans are in shock after news that a Netflix star is missing.
News broke on Friday, July 31 that at least four people have died and 10 more are missing in Pakistan after an avalanche hit Broad Peak in the country's Gilgit-Baltistan. And among those missing are the Netflix star Nirmal Purja.
The 43-year-old Nepalese climber, who starred in the 2021 Netflix documentary 14 Peaks: Nothing Is Impossible, was part of the expedition with the Alpine Club of Pakistan along with five other climbers from Nepal, and climbers from China, Pakistan, Oman, and an American climber, Mallory Geis.
© Getty ImagesThe Gilgit-Baltistan Police announced in a statement on Friday, July 31, that four bodies had been recovered as search efforts were underway. While police did not identify the victims in the post, they were later identified by the Alpine Club of Pakistan as Nadhira Al Harthy from Oman and Pur Bahadur Gurung from Nepal.
Nirmal, who has 2.3 million followers on Instagram, was born in Nepal and scaled the world's 14 highest peaks in 189 days in 2019. He briefly held a record for the fastest climb until 2023 when a Norwegian woman surpassed him.
© Getty ImagesHis fans are coming together amid the news of his disappearance. One person commented on his most recent Instagram post: "Nims pls come back alive." Another added: "Come back home safe, Nims and team. We are all waiting for good news."
According to the Alpine Club of Pakistan, all relevant agencies in Pakistan are facilitating an immediate search and rescue operation. "Every possible effort is being made to ensure that helicopter support and all available rescue resources are mobilized at the earliest opportunity, subject to weather and operational conditions," the statement said.
How tall is Broad Peak?
Broad Peak is part of the Karakoram mountain range between Pakistan and China and is the 12th highest mountain in the world at more than 26,400 feet above sea level. Broad Peak was first scaled in 1957, and since then, dozens of climbers have died trying to reach the top.
The BBC, citing NASA data, reported that as of March 2012, there had been 404 successful ascents and 21 deaths. A further six climbers died the following year, the broadcaster said. The July 2026 avalanche is further proof of how dangerous the summit is.
© Getty ImagesNirmal shared on Instagram a week ago that on July 21, he achieved his 57th summit at Gasherbrum II, which is the world's 13th highest peak on the way to the Broad Peak. He wrote: "Every mountain has brought new challenges and new lessons. Each summit is the result of persistence, preparation, and respect for the mountain."
Who else is missing after the Broad Peak avalanche?
Also missing is American climber Mallory Geis. The 39-year-old who describes herself as a "side quest enthusiast," attempted her first scaling of Broad Peak on this expedition.
© InstagramIn June, she shared on Instagram: "I'm heading out for my first big kid climbing expedition in Pakistan. Let's see if we can get this body and these boots up Broad Peak, the 12th highest mountain in the world, shall we?"
