AVALANCHE KILLS SEVEN STUDENTS, INSTRUCTOR DURING FIELD TRIP

TOKYO An avalanche killed seven Japanese high school students and an instructor Monday during a mountaineering field trip at a ski resort, authorities said.

Nearly 50 students and instructors were caught by the avalanche in the town of Nasu in Tochigi prefecture, about 190 km north of Tokyo.

Police confirmed the death of the eight people late Monday, the prefecture said. Forty others were injured, including two who were in serious condition, a report said.

Japanese media said the students were on the last day of a three-day training program for members of school mountaineering clubs.