Students among eight feared dead in Japan avalanche

Several high school students are among eight feared dead after an avalanche struck at a Japanese ski resort.

It is not immediately clear how many of the victims were students, officials said.

The avalanche occurred on Monday morning near a ski slope in Nasu, 160 km north of Tokyo, where 52 high school students and 11 teachers were climbing.

Officials said the eight rescued people showed no vital signs.

Japanese officials typically do not declare victims dead until a doctor has made a formal announcement.

"We have avalanche incidents once or twice a year around here, but haven't had anything this big," a fire department official said.