An Australian man in his 20s has died at a popular ski resort in Japan, amid unprecedented snowfall in the region.
The man was skiing off-piste in backcountry between Niseko Moiwa Ski Resort and Niseko Annupuri International Ski Resort in Hokkaido when he was separated from a group of seven people.
He was later found unconscious with local media reporting that he had been buried in an avalanche.
The man was reportedly skiing behind the rest of his group when he went missing mid-way down the slope. His friends later found another group of four skiers administering CPR on the man.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade have since confirmed they are providing consular assistance.
“The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is providing consular assistance to the family of an Australian who died in Japan. We send our deepest condolences to the family at this difficult time,” a DFAT spokesperson said.
“Owing to our privacy obligations we are unable to provide further comment.”
The man had reportedly travelled to Japan for a holiday before he started working at a local hotel in Niseko.
The incident marks the second tragic death of an Australian in Japan this year, following the death of 22-year-old Brooke Day, who sadly passed away after a buckle on her backpack got stuck in a ski lift at Tsugaike Mountain Resort in Nagano on Friday.
Japan has experienced record snowfall over the past two weeks, with at least 30 people killed in unprecedented weather.
According to Japan’s Fire and Disaster Management Agency, the highest number of deaths was reported in the central prefecture of Niigata, where 12 people died.
Most of the deaths were reported in northern Japan with six deaths reported in Akita prefecture, four in Aomori, three in Hokkaido, two in Yamagata and one in Iwate.
The deaths occurred between January 20 and February 3 due to strong cold air masses along the Sea of Japan coast. In some areas, snowfall has exceeded double the average amount.
“The amount of snow is so heavy that it has overwhelmed the local staff who are working to remove the snow from the roads and rooftops,” officials said.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi held a special cabinet meeting on Tuesday to ensure that ministers will take all the necessary steps so that no further lives are lost.
Image: 7News
