Seven students and a teacher were pulled out dead today after being crushed by an avalanche, which also injured 40 people near Nasu in northern Tokyo, the French Rescue Agency reported, citing local rescue services.
The high school students and the teacher came from the High School of Otavara, in the district of Tosigi, where the city of Nasos is located. The victims participated together with a group of 52 students and 11 teachers, from 7 high schools, in a three-day trip to the mountain, when the avalanche hit the area.
More than 100 soldiers were deployed on the ground to help the victims in difficult weather conditions, as heavy snowfall fell.
Authorities issued avalanche warnings yesterday and today Monday.
According to the latest report, seven students and a teacher were found unconscious and without vital signs, a local rescue official explained to AFP. The first report of the Authorities, spoke about 8 students who were found dead.
Among the injured are two students in critical condition, the Japanese official said, adding that "all the injured were taken to hospitals."
The avalanche hit the area on the last day of the trip, the authorities clarified. "This is an event that happens every year and never before has there been a serious accident. "I am very shocked," said one of the teachers at Jiji.
Source: RES - EIA