WELLINGTON, New Zealand: An avalanche in Japan has killed two New Zealanders, the foreign ministry in Wellington has said.
A statement issued by New Zealand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs quoted Japanese police as having confirmed that two New Zealanders “have sadly passed away” following the avalanche.
“The New Zealand Embassy has offered consular support to the families of those involved,” said a ministry spokesperson.
There would be no further comment due to privacy reasons, according to the officials.
The New Zealanders were reportedly killed while backcountry skiing at Mount Yotei, about 56 miles from the city of Sapporo on the island of Hokkaido.
According to Japan media reports, two people — a man and a woman — were taken to hospital unresponsive following the incident. They were later pronounced dead while the third one sustained a shoulder injury.
