Eight Japanese high school students are feared dead after being caught in an avalanche on Monday during a mountain climbing outing at a ski resort, authorities and media said.

The avalanche occurred about 9-20 a.m. in the town of Nasu in Tochigi prefecture, about 190 km north of Tokyo.

The Fire and Disaster Management Agency said eight people were found with no vital signs. Japanese media identified them as students, and said they were among more than 60 students and instructors from seven high schools who were on the slopes. The ski season had ended at the resort.

The disaster agency said many others were injured in the avalanche. Rescue operations continued into the afternoon.