Authorities have said eight skiers have been found dead and one is still missing after an avalanche in the northern California mountains.
The avalanches hit the Castle Peak area of Truckee, California, about 10 miles (16 km) north of Lake Tahoe, at around 11:30 a.m. local time on Tuesday.
Authorities were still searching for nine missing people as of Wednesday morning local time, but have now confirmed eight deaths and one missing.
"Eight of the other nine skiers have been found dead," said Nevada County Sheriff Shannan Moon, foreign media reported, according to the Telegraph.
Ms Moon said difficult conditions and the risk of further avalanches had hampered rescue efforts, with the operation still ongoing.
The group of 15 backcountry skiers - who were outside the ski resort's boundaries - were returning from a three-day excursion when the avalanche struck, tour operator Blackbird Mountain Guides said.
The rescued skiers - including a guide and five clients - had taken shelter in a makeshift shelter.
Two of them were unable to walk due to their injuries and were taken to hospital, Ms Moon said. /Telegraph/
