KATHMANDU, Aug. 1 (Xinhua) -- Renowned mountaineer Nirmal Purja died in an avalanche on Pakistan's Broad Peak, Elite Exped, the expedition company he co-founded, confirmed on Saturday.

The Nepali-born Purja, along with nine other climbers, was caught in an avalanche on Thursday around midday while ascending the 8,047-meter peak, the expedition company said in a statement.

Purja, 43, came into the limelight after achieving the historic feat of climbing all 14 of the world's highest mountains in just six months and six days in 2019.

Offering his condolences, Nepal's Prime Minister Balendra Shah said on Facebook that although the physical journeys of Nirmal Purja and the other fallen climbers had come to an end, their courage, determination, and contributions to mountaineering would endure.

"Their legacy will continue to inspire generations of climbers and adventurers around the world," he wrote. ■