SNOW TERROR
At least 2 people missing at Lone Peak Summit in Utah after becoming trapped under avalanche at skiing hotspot
Multiple fire departments are scouring the snow for the skiers
AT least three skiers are missing after an avalanche on a mountain in Salt Lake County, Utah.
Officials rushed to Lone Peak Summit in Utah after reports started rolling in around 10 am.
6
6
The avalanche occurred near the summit in Little Cottonwood Canyon, Unified Fire officials told Fox affiliate KSTU.
Three skiers were involved in the avalanche and currently, two still remain missing, according to ABC affiliate KTVX.
At around 2:30, one skier was seen getting off a Life flight helicopter and walking to an ambulance, a KUTV reporter tweeted to X, formerly known as Twitter.
The search is underway near Alta Ski Resort which borders the large mountain range.
READ MORE on News
"We have limited information on this incident," the Unified Fire Authority posted on X, formerly known as Twitter.
It is expected to be challenging for search and rescue teams because the area they were last seen is "very serious terrain," according to the Utah Avalanche Center.
"This is very serious terrain, it's steep, it's North-facing," Craig Gordon with the center explained.
"The crew that was up there would have to be experienced. This isn't the type of zone you'd just stumble on."
Most read in The US Sun
He also said the avalanche comes after late-season storms that have hit the Utah area.
"The past three days, Big and Little Cottonwood Canyon have seen over 30 inches of snow with over three inches of water," Gordon said.
Gordon, who was out looking this morning, said that visibility is low due to "on-and-off snow showers."
Lone Peak Summit is a popular spot for people who enjoy winter sports.
It is located about 36 miles south of Salt Lake City.
The U.S. Sun has contacted the Unified Police Department for an update.
This is very serious terrain, it's steep, it's North-facing.
Craig Gordon
SWISS ALPS HORROR
This is not the first terrifying avalanche to occur this year.
In early April, a jarring video captured the moment a deadly avalanche cascaded down a mountain killing a teen and two adults in Switzerland.
Other skiers watched from afar as a wave of snow poured down the mountain.
The horrific incident occurred around 2 pm at the Swiss Alpine ski resort of Zermatt on Easter Monday, cops said.
A 15-year-old from the United States was killed during the natural disaster, according to The Guardian.
"It looked to me as if there were several people on the slope at the time of the avalanche," a horrified witness told local outlet Blick.
Almost 45 rescuers searched the mountain for survivors including 15 firefighters, 13 rescue specialists, eight avalanche dog handlers and local ski instructors.
"The search wasn't that easy at the beginning," said Anjan Truffer, head of rescue at Air Zermatt.
Read More on The US Sun
"At the moment, thank God, we have no further signs of people who could be buried.
"The slopes are 100 percent secured. There is no safety risk for people who only spend time on the slopes."
6
6
6
6