KATHMANDU: Elite Exped on Saturday confirmed the death of renowned Nepali-born British mountaineer Nirmal "Nimsdai" Purja, ending days of uncertainty after a devastating avalanche struck Broad Peak (8,047m) in Pakistan's Karakoram. The company also confirmed that Purja's trusted climbing partners and guides, Pur Bahadur Gurung "Yukta" and Nima Sherpa, were among those who lost their lives, adding that other members of the expedition also did not survive.

In a statement, Elite Exped said it was with "profound sadness and immense heartbreak" that it confirmed Purja's death following the avalanche, extending condolences to the families, friends and loved ones of all those killed. The company appealed for privacy for the bereaved families as they grieve.

The confirmation comes as search-and-recovery efforts resumed on Saturday after being suspended for a day due to severe weather and heavy snowfall.

According to Mingma Gyalje Sherpa (Mingma G), who is coordinating the recovery mission, drone inspections have located the bodies of all missing climbers except Pakistani guide Sohail Sakhi. "All bodies except Sohail have been spotted during the drone inspection. We are trying to locate his body and will soon begin recovering them," Mingma G told The Tourism Times.

He said two bodies and a human leg were brought to Skardu on Friday, while the remaining bodies are still at the avalanche site awaiting recovery.

Lawmaker and co owner of Elite Exped Mingma David Sherpa had arrived earlier in Pakistan to reinforce the search operation. They are working alongside Pakistan Army personnel, high-altitude rescue units and additional Sherpa climbers mobilised by the Gilgit-Baltistan Administration.

Ground search teams led by Mingma G and Pakistani mountaineer Sirbaz Khan also inspected the locations identified through drone reconnaissance.

The tragedy unfolded on Thursday when two avalanches struck the expedition below Camp III on Broad Peak, sweeping away at least 10 climbers. Earlier aerial reconnaissance and reports from climbers involved in the search had indicated that the chances of finding survivors were virtually nonexistent.

Those confirmed dead after the avalanche included Nirmal Purja, Pur Bahadur "Yukta" Gurung and Nima Sherpa from Elite Exped; Omani climber Nadhira Al Harthy, Gyalu Sherpa and Nwang Thendu Sherpa from Seven Summit Treks; Kili Pemba Sherpa and Chinese climber Wang Zhong from Imagine Nepal Treks; and Pakistani guide Sohail Sakhi along with his American client Mallory Geis.

The recovery operation is continuing as weather conditions permit, with helicopters, drones and ground teams working to retrieve the remaining victims from one of the Karakoram's most dangerous high-altitude rescue sites.