Multiple people have been reported dead following an avalanche at a Japanese ski resort. At least one teacher and seven students perished at the Nasu Onsen Family Ski Area where a mountaineering club was taking part in a three-day training.
In addition to the reported deaths, at least 40 other people were injured at the time.
NHK World meteorologist Robert Speta explained that more than a foot of snow had fallen overnight before the Monday morning avalanche.
“We had heavy snow, that condensed [with the warmer weather], and then once you have somebody on top of that, that creates a trigger. These are all a recipe for avalanche creation.”
The ski resort had closed for the season on March 20.
