Japanese public broadcaster NHK and the Asahi Shimbun reported that around 9:20 a.m. (8:20 a.m. Taiwan time) today, an avalanche took place near the Nasu Onsen Kazenoko Ski Resort in Nasu Town, Tochigi Prefecture. Students and teachers from a high school mountaineering club in Tochigi Prefecture who were participating in a mountaineering training session were caught in the avalanche.
The Tochigi Prefectural Police Disaster Response Headquarters stated that the avalanche occurred at an altitude of around 1,300 meters. Eight people — 7 male students and 1 male teacher from Ohtawara High School in Tochigi Prefecture — were found with no signs of life. In addition, 40 students and teachers were injured, with 2 high school students suffering serious injuries.
The Tochigi Prefectural Board of Education said that the mountaineering training session was part of a 3-day, 2-night program from the 25th to today, involving 62 students and teachers from 7 high school mountaineering clubs across Tochigi Prefecture. However, due to poor weather conditions today, the planned mountain climbing activity was canceled and replaced with a snow digging exercise near the ski resort, which 48 students and teachers attended.
Observation records from a monitoring station on the Nasu Plateau showed that snowfall began early this morning, with about 33 cm of snow accumulated by 9 a.m. The Japan Meteorological Agency had issued warnings for heavy snow and avalanches in areas including Nasu Town, urging the public to take precautions. 1060327
(Central News Agency)
(Central News Agency)