AVALANCHE IN JAPAN KILLS 8
TOKYO: An avalanche on Monday killed seven Japanese high school students and a teacher on a mountain-climbing outing, and injured 40 more.
More than 100 troops were deployed in a major rescue mission after the avalanche hit ski slopes in Tochigi prefecture north of Tokyo.
A total of 52 students and 11 teachers from seven schools were on a three-day mountaineering expedition when disaster struck.
A warning had been issued for heavy snow and possible avalanches from Sunday until Monday in the area, with the local weather agency forecasting snowfall of some 30 centimetres. In the latest update seven students and one teacher, mostly from Otawara High School in Tochigi, were found with no vital signs, an official with a prefectural disaster task force told AFP.
In Japan, deaths in such circumstances are not announced officially until doctors can confirm them.
Officials earlier said eight students had no vital signs.
Some 40 people have been injured, including two students in serious condition, the prefectural official said.
“All the people have been carried down from the mountain and they are now being transported to hospital,” he said.