Six school children feared dead in Japanese avalanche

NASU, Tochigi Prefecture-Six high school students are in a critical condition after an avalanche at a ski field here engulfed 13 people on March 27.

The avalanche in central Japan has killed seven high school students and a teacher who were among a group of nearly 50 on mountain climbing training, police say.

Rescue efforts are under way with media reports suggesting more than 30 people were injured by the avalanche.

Though the resort had recently closed for the skiing season, it had made some areas and facilities available specifically for the exercise.

Three other people remained missing and several other injuries were reported.

They were taking part in a spring climbing event.

Yoshio Ogata, 69, senior managing director of the Japan Mountaineering Association, also notes the continuous snowfall from the day before and its effect on avalanches. The incident occurred near Nasu, which has seen about a foot of snow fall since Sunday. “These are all recipe for avalanche creation”.

Eight Japanese high school students were killed at a ski resort during a fatal avalanche.

The agency had issued an avalanche advisory warning for the region, after recent warm weather raised the risk.

Local government authorities asked for the assistance of the Self-Defence Forces to help with relief and rescue operations.