LOS ANGELES: Eight of the nine skiers who went missing in California after an avalanche have been found dead, while one remains unaccounted for, authorities said Wednesday.
The incident occurred amid severe blizzard conditions that have hampered search and rescue operations.
Rescuers had been desperately searching for the group, which was caught in the avalanche early Tuesday on Castle Peak in the Tahoe area.
Earlier, six skiers were found alive, two of whom were taken to hospital for treatment.
“We are still looking for one of the members at this time,” Nevada County Sheriff Shannan Moon said, cautioning that the ongoing storm continues to impede movement, according to AFP.
“Extreme weather conditions I would say is an understatement: lots of snow, gale-force winds, winds making it impossible to see,” Moon added.
Multiple victims were linked to Sugar Bowl Academy
The backcountry trip was organized by Blackbird Mountain Guides Sheriff Wayne Woo urged the public to avoid the Sierra Nevada region until conditions improve.
“Please avoid the Sierras during this current storm and in the upcoming days, avoid mountain travel. It’s treacherous,” Woo said.
California Governor Gavin Newsom has been briefed on the rescue operation.
The powerful storm has continued to dump heavy snowfall across the Sierra Nevada mountain range. Sugar Bowl Resort reported 67 inches (1.7 meters) of snow in the past week, including 30 inches from Tuesday to midday Wednesday.
The National Weather Service warned that areas above 3,500 feet could see up to eight feet of snow, with wind gusts reaching 55 miles (90 kilometers) per hour.
Captain Russell Green of the Nevada County Sheriff’s Office emphasized the dangers of backcountry skiing. “People go out and use the backcountry at all times. We advise against it, obviously, but I wouldn’t say that it’s uncommon. Not that it was a wise choice,” he said.
The Colorado Avalanche Information Center has recorded six avalanche fatalities in the United States so far this season, including one at Castle Peak in January.
