On February 17, a devastating avalanche struck California’s Sierra Nevada mountains, resulting in the disappearance of fifteen skiers. By the following day, authorities had confirmed the deaths of eight individuals, while one remains unaccounted for.
According to reports from Associated Press and BBC, the avalanche occurred amid severe weather conditions during a three-day skiing expedition. The skiers were caught off guard by a significant storm that had been forecasted to impact the area. The Avalanche Center had issued warnings about potential snow slides in the preceding 24 to 48 hours, but it is unclear if the guides were aware of these alerts.
The avalanche, which was approximately the size of a football field, led to the immediate search for the missing skiers. Rescue teams managed to locate eight bodies; however, challenging weather conditions have hindered the evacuation efforts.
Shannan Moon, the sheriff of Nevada County, stated that search operations for the last missing skier are ongoing, although it is feared that this individual may also be deceased. Captain Russell Green noted that among those confirmed dead or missing are seven women and two men, aged between 30 and 55. The group comprised eleven amateur skiers and four guides.
One of the deceased was a partner of a member of the search and rescue team, complicating the emotional toll of the operation, according to emergency responders.
Six individuals were rescued, including one guide, with one of them currently hospitalized. Governor Gavin Newsom commended the swift mobilization of nearly 100 rescuers who worked through the night under difficult conditions to locate the missing skiers. He expressed condolences to the families of the victims.
This incident marks the deadliest avalanche in the United States since 1981, when eleven climbers lost their lives on Mount Rainier in Washington.
A tragic avalanche in California's Sierra Nevada has resulted in at least eight confirmed deaths among a group of skiers, with one individual still missing. The incident has prompted a large-scale rescue operation, highlighting the dangers posed by severe winter weather.
Source: Associated Press