The company co-founded by Nirmal Purja has confirmed that the former British Army and Royal Marines soldier has died in Pakistan after an avalanche. The Nepalese mountaineer was leading an expedition of 10 climbers on Broad Peak – the world's 12th highest mountain – in the north of the country when the avalanche struck at about midday on Thursday. Following search efforts, his company Elite Exped has now confirmed Mr Purja was killed. Earlier on Saturday, Mr Matthews said he was praying "for a miracle". Mr Matthews shared a photo with the mountaineer on Instagram and said the news from Broad Peak was "heartbreaking".