Ten international climbers are missing after an avalanche struck Broad Peak, one of the world's highest mountains in northern Pakistan, an official said on Thursday. The group was led by renowned Nepal-born mountaineer Nirmal Purja and has been out of communication since the avalanche, according to Karrar Haidri, vice-president of the Alpine Club of Pakistan. The club received initial reports of the incident late Thursday. Haidri said the expedition included five Nepalese climbers and Pakistani mountaineer Sohail Sakhi. Purja is among those feared missing, the Alpine Club said. Broad Peak, the world's 12th-highest mountain at 8,051 metres, is a popular but challenging climb for experienced mountaineers. No further details about the climbers' condition or rescue efforts were immediately available. The Alpine Club of Pakistan is coordinating with authorities to determine the next steps. The missing climbers were part of a larger expedition on the mountain, which sits in the Karakoram range near K2. Pakistan's northern region is home to several of the world's tallest peaks and has seen multiple avalanche incidents in recent years. The team had been climbing the mountain when the avalanche hit, cutting off communication. Officials said they are waiting for more information from the site and have not confirmed whether any of the climbers have been located.