An avalanche in California's Lake Tahoe region has left 10 backcountry skiers missing, authorities say, with six more people stranded and awaiting rescue.
The avalanche was reported about 11:30PST (19:30GMT) in the Castle Peak area near the town of Truckee, according to the Nevada County Sheriff's Office.
The group of 16 was made up of four guides and 12 clients. Weather conditions remain dangerous, with a high chance of more avalanches.
"Highly-skilled rescue ski teams" have deployed from two nearby ski resorts, the sheriff said. The six known survivors have been "directed to shelter in place as best they can in the conditions," the sheriff added.
"At least six of the skiers have survived the avalanche and remain at the avalanche site, awaiting rescue, with the remaining ten unaccounted for at the time of this release," the sheriff posted on Facebook on Tuesday afternoon.
