Avalanche kills eight people, injures 40 in Japan

Eight people were killed in an avalanche at a Japanese ski resort on Monday. Seven students and one teacher that were a part of a mountaineering club were trapped in the avalanche at the Nasu Onsen Family Ski Area in the Tochigi Prefecture, authorities confirmed. The avalanche occurred at 9:20 am, after a storm brought high winds and over a foot of snow onto the slope. Officials also confirmed that 40 other people were injured with two in critical condition. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe issued a statement saying the government would ”make every effort to respond to the disaster, while making it a top priority to rescue victims."