Police have launched a search for 10 missing skiers after an avalanche in California.
The horror snowslide struck on Tuesday afternoon, UK time - and rescuers are now facing a race against the clock to find them.
Another six skiers on the slopes near Truckee, California, survived the avalanche and were stranded as of 3.45pm (11.45pm GMT).
The avalanche was first reported in the Castle Peak area at around 11.30am which affected a group of four mountain guides and 12 other skiers, according to the Nevada County Sheriff's office.
The other 10 skiers whereabouts remain unknown, with rescue teams from the Boreal Mountain Ski Resort and the Alder Creek Adventure Centre headed to the area.
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Some 46 emergency responders are now on the scene, with six emergency agencies listed as directly assisting the search.
The sheriff's office added that a SnoCat team was deployed, referring to a four-tracked vehicle used to travel over snow.
Weather in Truckee has been serious with blizzard conditions hampering rescue efforts.
The Boreal Mountain Ski Resort, near Castle Peak, has reported about 30 inches of snowfall over the past 24 hours alone.
PICTURED: The SnoCat used by rescue teams to traverse the area
|NEVADA COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE
The resort was closed on Tuesday - with avalanche danger levels listed as high.
The storm has also closed highways such as Interstate 80 and Highway 50.
The California Department of Transport reported several crashes and spinouts related to the avalanche, causing the road closures.
While the Sierra Avalanche Centre, before the slides, said: "Travel in, near, or below avalanche terrain is not recommended today.
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Images shared by police show near-whiteout conditions, making the rescue difficult
|NEVADA COUNTY SHERRIFF'S OFFICE
"A widespread natural avalanche cycle is expected over the next 24 hours. Large avalanches may run through treed areas.
"If attempting travel today in non-avalanche terrain, be certain that there are no steeper slopes connected to the terrain you are traveling, either above or to the side."
Another two to three feet of snow is expected to land, with conditions not easing up until Wednesday morning.
Travel conditions in the area were described as "very difficult to impossible", according to the US's National Weather Service.
Two members of a ski rescue team suited up before their search on Castle Peak
|NEVADA COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE
This is the second such incident in the area this year, with another avalanche hitting last month in Truckee.
January's avalanche led to 45 emergency responders aiding in rescue efforts.
Five experienced snowmobilers needed to be rescued, with one member of their party being killed after being buried in snow.
An estimated 25 to 30 people die as a result of avalanches in the US every year, according to the National Avalanche Centre.
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