Japan avalanche kills 8

TOKYO: An avalanche yesterday killed seven Japanese high school students and a teacher on a mountain-climbing outing, and injured 40.

More than 100 troops were deployed in a major rescue mission after the avalanche hit ski slopes in Tochigi prefecture north of here.

Television footage showed rescuers climbing the mountainside as ambulances stood by.

A total of 52 students and 11 teachers from seven high 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 yesterday in the area, with the local weather agency forecasting snowfall of some 30 cm.

In the latest update, seven students