• Published

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.

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