Japanese climbers missing after avalanche in Alaska

on 16/06/2012 20:47:28

Four members of a Japanese climbing team are presumed dead after an avalanche swept them off a Mount McKinley in Alaska.

US National Park Service officials say five people were travelling as one rope team as part of a Miyagi Workers Alpine Federation expedition.

One team member, 69-year-old Hitoshi Ogi, was swept into a crevasse and survived. The other four tumbled into the avalanche debris and have not been seen since.

Nearly 400 mountaineers were making rescue attempts today on the mountain's West Buttress. Snowfall and wind have impeded the search.

The four missing climbers are aged 50 to 64.