Eight feared dead in Japan avalanche

Seven schoolchildren and a teacher were feared dead yesterday after an avalanche struck during a mountain climbing trip in central Japan.

A further 40 people were injured in the incident, which took place at the ski resort of Nasu, in the mountains of Tochigi prefecture, 120 miles north of Tokyo.

The avalanche triggered a huge rescue operation. The victims were among a group of 52 students and 11 teachers from seven schools who were taking part in an annual three-day mountain climbing trip.