KATHMANDU: Prime Minister Balendra Shah and Nepali Congress President Gagan Kumar Thapa have expressed deep sorrow over the deaths of world-renowned mountaineer Nirmal "Nimsdai" Purja and nine other climbers in the Broad Peak avalanche in Pakistan, as Elite Exped officially confirmed that there were no survivors from its expedition team.

In a Facebook post on Saturday, Prime Minister Shah said mountaineering is not merely a journey to reach the summit but the highest expression of courage, discipline, sacrifice and the determination to challenge human limits. Referring to the tragedy on the 8,051-metre Broad Peak in Pakistan's Karakoram range, he said the deaths of six Nepali climbers, including Purja, along with four foreign climbers had left the nation shocked.

The Prime Minister said that although the physical journey of the deceased climbers had ended, their courage, dedication and contributions would remain alive in history and continue to inspire generations. He paid heartfelt tribute to all those who lost their lives and extended condolences to their families, relatives and well-wishers.

Nepali Congress President Gagan Kumar Thapa also paid tribute to Purja, recalling that he had met him before the launch of his landmark "Project Possible" and before the world came to know him as one of the greatest mountaineers of his generation.

"I truly believed you would find a way back, just as you always had," Thapa wrote, adding that Purja's greatest achievement was not only his world records but changing global perceptions of Nepali mountaineers. He said Purja proved Nepalis were not merely the strength behind expeditions but leaders, pioneers and innovators capable of redefining the future of mountaineering.

Thapa also remembered Pur Bahadur "Yukta" Gurung, Kili Pemba "Kilu" Sherpa, Nima Sherpa, Nawang Thindu Sherpa, Gyalu Sherpa, Sohail Sakhi, Mallory Geis, Nadhira Al Harthy and Wang Zhong, saying that behind every name was a story of courage, sacrifice, dreams and loved ones waiting at home. He extended his deepest condolences to the bereaved families and the global mountaineering community.

The tributes came hours after Elite Exped confirmed the death of Purja and said fellow guides Pur Bahadur "Yukta" Gurung and Nima Sherpa, along with other members of the expedition, had also perished in Thursday's avalanche below Camp III on Broad Peak.

Meanwhile, search and recovery operations resumed on Saturday after weather conditions improved. According to Mingma Gyalje Sherpa (Mingma G), who is coordinating the recovery mission, drone inspections have located the bodies of all the missing climbers except Pakistani guide Sohail Sakhi. He said recovery efforts would begin as soon as conditions permit, adding that two bodies and a human leg had already been brought to Skardu while the remaining victims were still at the avalanche site awaiting retrieval.