An avalanche in California’s Lake Tahoe region left 10 backcountry skiers missing, authorities said, and six others stranded and waiting to be rescued.
The avalanche was reported around 11:30 a.m. PST (7:30 p.m. GMT) in the Castle Peak area near the town of Truckee, according to the Nevada County Sheriff’s Office.
The group of 16 people consisted of four guides and 12 clients. Weather conditions remain dangerous, with a high risk of further avalanches.
“Highly trained rescue teams” were deployed from two nearby ski resorts, the sheriff said. The six known survivors were “ordered to shelter in place as best they can under these conditions,” the sheriff added.
“At least six of the skiers survived the avalanche and remain at the avalanche site, awaiting rescue, with the other ten missing at the time of this publication,” the sheriff said on Facebook Tuesday afternoon.
“A SnoCat team has also been launched,” the sheriff said, referring to vehicles that use treads to move through snow and are more commonly found grooming snow at ski resorts.
Experts from nearby Boreal Mountain Ski Resort and Alder Creek Adventure Center are also trying to reach the site.
“Rescue efforts are currently continuing with 46 emergency first responders. Weather conditions remain very dangerous,” the statement continued.
The release also cites a forecast from the Sierra Avalanche Center, which states: “Large avalanches are expected to occur Tuesday, Tuesday evening and at least early Wednesday morning in the backcountry.”
The avalanche center rated the danger level as “high,” or four out of five on the rating scale.
“Traveling in, near or under avalanche terrain is not recommended today. A widespread natural avalanche cycle is expected over the next 24 hours,” the center said. “Large avalanches could move through forested areas.”
Boreal Mountain Ski Resort, located near the crash site, reported 30 inches of snow in the past 24 hours.
The station decided to close on Tuesday due to strong winds and low visibility.
The storm also caused the closure of several highways, including Interstate 80 and Highway 50.