Feb 18 • 12:08 UTC 🇧🇷 Brazil Folha (PT)

Avalanche leaves nine skiers missing in California

Nine skiers are missing following an avalanche in the Sierra Nevada mountains in northern California.

On Tuesday, an avalanche struck Castle Peak, a popular site in the Tahoe National Forest, leaving nine skiers missing according to authorities. The avalanche occurred around 11:30 AM local time as a severe storm impacted the region. Initially, authorities reported that there were 16 people in the group, but after reassessing, they confirmed 15 individuals were present, leading to the update on the number of missing skiers. Among the group, at least six skiers survived the avalanche and are awaiting rescue on-site. The inclement weather made it challenging for rescue teams to reach the survivors in a timely manner, causing delays of several hours. Once the rescue operation was underway, the skiers who were able to escape the avalanche were brought to safety and received medical evaluations. Among the rescued, some suffered various injuries, with two individuals requiring hospitalization for further treatment. The incident underscores the risks associated with skiing in mountainous terrain during extreme weather conditions. Authorities continue to search for the missing individuals, and the situation raises concerns regarding avalanche safety and preparedness in the area, highlighting the need for increased awareness among skiers and outdoor enthusiasts in similar environments.

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