American rescue services have concluded a four-day operation to recover the bodies of nine people who died in an avalanche in the Sierra Nevada mountains on Tuesday. The tragedy, described as one of the deadliest in U.S. history, struck a group of fifteen backcountry skiers and their guides. Heavy snowfall and gusty winds severely hampered rescue efforts in the Lake Tahoe area, near Castle Peak.

All Victims Found

Rescuers recovered the bodies of nine skiers who died in an avalanche last Tuesday near Castle Peak.

Tragic Group Profile

Among the victims are six mothers who were close friends; three guides on the expedition also died.

Negligence Investigation

Authorities are investigating whether the expedition organizer was negligent by continuing the approach despite weather warnings.

Difficult Rescue Conditions

The operation lasted four days and was repeatedly suspended due to snowstorms and the threat of secondary avalanches.

The Nevada County Sheriff's Office announced on Saturday, February 21, the discovery of the ninth and final body of the missing skier. The victims are seven women and two men aged 30 to 52. Among the deceased were six mothers who formed a group of close friends, two of whom were sisters. The group, consisting of eleven clients and four guides, was in the final phase of a three-day ski expedition when they were hit by an avalanche nearly one hundred meters wide. Six people survived, and the incident is considered the deadliest avalanche in the U.S. in 45 years. The Sierra Nevada range is known for sudden weather phenomena. From the Donner Party tragedy in the 19th century to today's record snowfalls, the Lake Tahoe region remains a challenge for extreme sports enthusiasts due to its specific 'maritime-continental' snowpack structure.Medical and investigative services have already identified all victims, and their families have been notified. Simultaneously, California authorities have launched an investigation to determine whether there was gross negligence on the part of the company organizing the expedition. The Cal-OSHA agency is checking aspects of the guides' work safety, three of whom died on the spot. „They were mothers, wives, friends. This conclusion to the search brings closure to families, but the pain remains unimaginable” — Shannan Moon. Weather conditions during the rescue operation were extremely difficult, forcing rescuers to temporarily halt operations on Friday due to the risk of further snow slides. The avalanche that descended on Tuesday swept away experienced athletes who, despite an approaching snowstorm, were trying to return to base. In a separate incident in the same region, the body of San Jose State University student Colin Kang was also found; he died after falling into a so-called tree well in a ski resort area. Casualty Count of the Tragic Expedition: Fatalities: 9, Survived: 6 91 m — width of the avalanche that swept away the group of skiers

Mentioned People

  • Shannan Moon — Nevada County Sheriff overseeing the rescue operation
  • Colin Kang — Student whose body was found in a tree well in the same region