A ten-member international mountaineering team led by renowned Nepal-born former Royal Marine Nirmal Purja is feared missing after an avalanche on Pakistan’s Broad Peak, one of the highest mountains in the world.

Pakistani mountaineering officials say the avalanche hit at around midday on Thursday on the 8,047-metre peak in the Karakoram range. There has been no subsequent communication with the team.

An American, a Chinese national, an Omani and five Nepalis are said to be part of the climbing group.

Purja, the expedition leader, is best known for climbing all 14 of the world’s 8,000-metre plus mountains in just over six months in 2019.

Searchers hope to use a helicopter if weather permits.

Broad Peak is regarded as one of the more challenging mountains for expeditions, and is ranked as the world’s 12th highest peak.

The Alpine Club of Pakistan released a statement saying it had been “in constant contact” with government authorities to launch “an immediate search and rescue operation”.

The group said “every possible effort” was being made to ensure helicopter support and “all available resources are mobilised at the earliest opportunity”.

“The Club prays for the safety and successful rescue of all the climbers and stands in solidarity with their families and the international mountaineering community during this difficult time,” it added.

Purja joined the British Army in 2003 and became a Royal Marine in 2009.

His climbing career began when he walked to Everest base camp in 2012 and, instead of returning as planned, decided to climb the entire mountain.

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