Eight feared dead as avalanche hits Japanese school party

Rescue workers at the scene. Credit: APTN

Eight people are feared dead after an avalanche hit a school party in Japan.

The avalanche happened at around 9.20am local time (1.20am BST) in the town of Nasu, around 100 miles north of Tokyo.

Dozens of high school students and around 12 teachers were in the Nasu area at the Onsen Family Ski Resort participating in mountain climbing safety training when the avalanche struck.

Eight people have been found without any vital signs, and two others have serious injuries after the incident.

Rescue workers attend the scene Credit: AP

Kazuya Nagai, a spokesman for Tochigi Northeast Area Fire Department Operation Center, said that a further 36 people were being treated for non-life threatening injuries.

Japanese media reported they were part of a group of around 50 students who were on a mountain climbing exercise at a ski area in the Tochigi prefecture.

Emergency services on the scene Credit: AP