Bodies found in search for missing foreign skiers after avalanche in Japan
- The avalanche happened around 2.30pm on Sunday near Tsugaike Mountain Resort, but a search for two foreigners was delayed because of adverse weather
- Police said on Monday that two men had been found and were presumed dead, with officers working to confirm that they are the same pair
A search had been underway for two foreign nationals reported missing, and police official Tomohiro Kushibiki said that officers were working to confirm they were the same pair.
Both men were found “in cardio-respiratory arrest”, he said, a term commonly used in Japan before a death can be confirmed by a doctor.
The missing two had been outside the patrolled areas of a ski resort in Otari village along with 11 other skiers and snowboarders when the incident took place on Sunday.
Five people were hit by the avalanche, with the other three able to climb down by themselves, Kishibiki said. One of the skiers who was initially reported by local rescuers as having broken an arm actually suffered a dislocated right shoulder, police said.
The other members of the group also reportedly made it safely back down the slope.