Stranded Skiers Freed In Northern Japan
Dozens of skiers trapped for 11 hours in a cottage on a ski slope in northern Japan have been freed.
The road leading to Inakawa ski resort in the city of Yuzawa in Akita Prefecture was blocked by a fallen power pole and toppled trees.
Police say they received a call from the ski resort at around 8:00 p.m. on Saturday and that 35 skiers including 22 children and nine ski resort employees spent a night in the cottage. Everyone appears to be in good health.
City officials say that the pole and trees have been removed and the road was opened by 7:00 a.m. Sunday after snow was plowed.
Snow has fallen intermittently in the area since Monday.
There is about 70 centimeters of snow on the ground at 7:00 a.m. on Sunday. The Inakawa ski resort opened for the season on Saturday.
