Kathmandu. A 10-member international expedition team led by renowned mountaineer Nirmal Purja has gone out of contact after an avalanche hit Broad Peak in northern Pakistan.

Pakistan Alpine Club vice-president Karara Haidri said in a statement on Thursday night that the expedition team led by Nirmal Purja was cut off due to an avalanche.

The nationality of five Nepalese, one Pakistani, one Omani, one American, one Chinese and another mountaineer is yet to be disclosed, according to the Associated Press.

Major General Irfan Arshad, president of the Pakistan Alpine Club, and other senior officials of the club said they were coordinating with government authorities to launch immediate search and rescue operations.