The avalanche happened at around 11:30 a.m., local time, on Tuesday, Feb. 17, in the Castle Peak area of Truckee, Calif.
Nevada County Sheriff's Office/Facebook
NEED TO KNOW
- Ten people are missing, and six people survived an avalanche while skiing in the Castle Peak area of Truckee, Calif., on Tuesday, Feb. 17
- The group included four ski guides and 12 skiers
- The Nevada County Sheriff’s Office is actively searching for the 10 missing people
Ten skiers are missing after an avalanche struck the Castle Peak area of Truckee, Calif., near Lake Tahoe, on the morning of Tuesday, Feb. 17.
The avalanche was reported at approximately 11:30 a.m. local time on Tuesday, according to the Nevada County Sheriff's Office (NCSO). The skiers were among a group of 16, which included four ski guides. The surviving six people remained in the area, awaiting rescue, as of 3:45 p.m., when the NCSO published its latest update as of publication.
The six survivors and 10 missing people are yet to be identified.
"Highly skilled rescue ski teams have departed from both Boreal Mountain Ski Resort and Tahoe Donner’s Alder Creek Adventure Center to make their way to the six known survivors, who have been directed to shelter in place as best they can in the conditions," the NCSO said, adding that a SnoCat team was also launched from Alder Creek Adventure Center.
Heavy blizzard conditions have created low visibility, impeding search efforts, according to NBC News.
There are currently 46 first responders searching for the missing people, according to the NCSO.
Nevada County Sheriff's Office/Facebook
The Sierra Avalanche Center issued an avalanche warning for avalanche conditions on Tuesday which has been in effect since 5 a.m.
“HIGH avalanche danger exists in the backcountry," the warning reads. "Large avalanches are expected to occur Tuesday, Tuesday night, and into at least early Wednesday morning across backcountry terrain. HIGH avalanche danger might continue through the day on Wednesday."
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Nevada County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue, Placer County Sheriff’s Office, Tahoe Nordic Search and Rescue, Washoe County Sheriff’s Office, Washoe County Search and Rescue, and Truckee Fire are all assisting with the rescue mission.
Boreal Mountain Resort, near Castle Peak, had 30 inches of snowfall in the past day, per NBC News.
NCSO Capt. Russell Greene told the outlet that some of the survivors took shelter under trees near the site of the avalanche.
"They have at least a tarp with them, so they're doing their best to create somewhat of a structure and get out of the elements as best they can, and we will begin treating and dealing with that when we get there," Greene told the outlet.
AP Photos/Brooke Hess-Homeier
The resort has suspended operations amid the avalanche conditions, but plans to resume operations on Wednesday, Feb. 18, according to its website.
PEOPLE has reached out to the NCSO. The search for the missing people remains ongoing.
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