An American professional skier died in an avalanche in Japan

An American professional skier died in an avalanche in Japan

Two men have been found dead after their bodies were found in an avalanche in Japan’s central Nagano district, police said.

The American ski magazine Mountain Gazette reported that one of the dead was the American professional skier Kyle Smain.

Two men who were traveling with Smaine posted a message on Instagram that he had died in an avalanche.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Austria stated that an Austrian citizen also died as a result of the tragic incident, but refused to provide details.

A representative of the local police said only that emergency services “confirmed the death of two men” and that their identities and citizenships will be revealed after a thorough document check.

The two men were outside patrolled areas of the ski resort along with several other skiers and snowboarders when the avalanche hit on Sunday.

The rest were able to return down the mountain.

According to the Mountain Gazette, 31-year-old Smaine was with fellow professional skier Adam Yu and the publication’s senior photographer Grant Gunderson.

Last week, a sudden cold snap blanketed much of Japan with heavy snowfall, particularly Nagano, which attracts many foreign tourists during the ski season. At least five people died in Japan, dozens were injured due to record low temperatures and heavy snowfall.

Now there is an avalanche and snowfall warning in the region.

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