Story highlights Students were taking ski and climbing lessons as part of a mountaineering groupThirty-two students and teachers were able to safely get down from the slopeTokyo (CNN) Eight high school students are feared dead after being caught in an avalanche at a Japanese ski resort Monday, according to a spokesman from the local fire department. Six other students are believed to be injured, according to one of the teachers accompanying the students, who spoke to officials by phone. Thirty-two students and teachers were able to safely get down from the slope, the fire department spokesman said. Rescue officials have not been able to reach the site of the avalanche yet, due to poor weather conditions. The students were part of a mountaineering club and had been taking ski lessons when local police received a report about the avalanche at 9:20 a.m. local time, according to local officials.

Source: CNN March 27, 2017 05:48 UTC