2/7/2021 Utah avalanche: Four skiers killed after snowslide near Salt Lake City - BBC News

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Utah avalanche: Four skiers killed aer

snowslide near Salt Lake City
2 hours ago

REUTERS

Four survivors managed to dig themselves out of the avalanche and call for help

Four skiers have been killed following an avalanche at a popular recreation

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2/7/2021 Utah avalanche: Four skiers killed after snowslide near Salt Lake City - BBC News

area in the US state of Utah, officials say.

A further four people were injured in the incident, which happened on

Saturday at Millcreek Canyon near Salt Lake City.

All of the eight caught in the avalanche knew one another and were aged
between 23 and 38.

It is the joint deadliest avalanche in the history of the state.

Skier survives five hours in 'Christmas miracle'

Watch: Lucky escape for Alps snowboarder

The deadly avalanche was triggered accidentally by the skiers, according to

the Utah Avalanche Center. The weight of a skier can cause an unstable layer
of snow to slide.

The organisation had earlier tweeted to say there were "dangerous avalanche
conditions" in the region.

There had been a smaller landslip nearby a day earlier but no-one was injured.

All eight skiers had been carrying safety gear such as avalanche beacons,
which submit a radio signal to help rescuers locate those buried under the
snow.

The survivors managed to dig themselves out of the avalanche and call the
emergency services.

Rescuers were dispatched to the area and are working to recover the bodies.
Video footage showed emergency workers being lowered on to the side of the
canyon by helicopter.

"This is a terrible tragedy and our prayers go out to the victims and families
involved," Utah Governor Spencer Cox said.

"We are grateful to the first responders and others who engaged in this rescue
and recovery effort," he added. "With avalanche danger high right now, please
exercise extreme caution."

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2/7/2021 Utah avalanche: Four skiers killed after snowslide near Salt Lake City - BBC News

Watch: How technology is helping to make ski slopes safer

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Utah United States Severe weather Skiing

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2/7/2021 Utah avalanche: Four skiers killed after snowslide near Salt Lake City - BBC News

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