10 Missing: Avalanche Traps Six Skiers in California
Ten individuals are reported missing after an avalanche hit the Sierra Nevada mountains in California, with six others trapped and awaiting rescue efforts.
Ten people are missing following an avalanche that struck the Sierra Nevada mountains in California. The incident occurred on Tuesday, prompting significant alarm as emergency services worked to locate those trapped. Of the twelve skiers caught in the avalanche, six were confirmed stranded hours later, and efforts to reach them commenced immediately. Russell Greene from the local sheriff's office indicated that the trapped individuals have taken refuge as best as they could while waiting for rescuers to arrive.
Rescuers faced challenges in reaching the stranded skiers due to the harsh conditions caused by the avalanche, but were able to maintain communication with the six individuals via a satellite phone. They have been advised to seek shelter and have managed to create a makeshift refuge using tarps to protect themselves. Greene noted that the six people were doing what they could to survive and were in good spirits despite the dire circumstances they were facing.
Search parties continue the desperate search for the ten other individuals who remain unaccounted for, as authorities have not been able to determine their whereabouts. The skiers were part of a broader group that included guides and participants on a three-day skiing trip, emphasizing the risks they faced while enjoying outdoor sports in potentially hazardous conditions. The incident serves as a harrowing reminder of the dangers associated with skiing in areas prone to avalanches, drawing attention to safety measures that can be critical in such environments.