Post by : Shakul

NEVADA COUNTY, California: A devastating avalanche struck the Sierra Nevada mountains near Castle Peak and north of Lake Tahoe, killing at least eight skiers and leaving one still unaccounted for, authorities said on Wednesday. The accident has become one of the deadliest avalanches in the United States in decades, occurring amid an intense winter storm that dropped several feet of fresh snow.

The group of 15 backcountry skiers was returning from a three-day guided excursion when the massive snow slide hit on Tuesday morning. Rescue teams managed to reach six survivors, some of whom sheltered beneath makeshift tarps during the storm, but heavy snow and gale-force winds have hindered search operations for the missing person.

At a news briefing, Nevada County Sheriff Shannan Moon confirmed that the bodies of the eight deceased were located with their emergency beacons active and that recovery efforts will continue when conditions improve. One of the eight was married to a member of the search-and-rescue team, officials said.

The avalanche struck near Castle Peak, a rugged backcountry area favored by experienced skiers but prone to avalanche risk, especially during major snowstorms. Authorities warned the group had been traveling in high-risk terrain despite avalanche forecasts and heavy snow buildup.

Officials emphasized the dangers of backcountry skiing under extreme weather conditions and reiterated the focus of ongoing efforts: recovering the missing skier and supporting affected families. Weather hazards are expected to continue, keeping rescue teams on alert as they work in challenging terrain.

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