An avalanche of unprecedented severity claimed the lives of eight skiers on Tuesday, just north of Lake Tahoe, casting a shadow of tragedy over the region. Among the victims was the spouse of a member of the local search and rescue team, a poignant detail revealed by officials.

This heartbreaking revelation came during a somber press conference held nearly a day after the catastrophe, marking it as the deadliest avalanche in California’s recent history. “This incident has hit our organization particularly hard,” stated Placer County Sheriff Wayne Woo. He shared that one of the deceased was married to a volunteer from the Tahoe Nordic Search and Rescue Team.

Clarifying the situation, sheriff’s officials noted that the volunteer was not involved in the search efforts for this incident, as initially reported by KTVU.

Here are the latest stories on the California Avalanche:

The avalanche struck a group of 15 skiers, which included four guides from Blackbird Mountain Guides and 11 clients, as they were concluding a three-day journey in the remote areas near Lake Tahoe. The violent snow slide resulted in the deaths of at least eight individuals, with one more skier still missing and presumed dead, according to authorities.

The devastating avalanche struck a party of 15 skiers — four guides with Blackbird Mountain Guides and 11 clients — as they returned from a three-day excursion in the remote mountains near Lake Tahoe.

At least eight died as the snow slide hit, with one more missing and presumed dead, officials said.

The tragedy prompted a desperate search by a slew of agencies, including the Tahoe rescue team.

Download The California Post App, follow us on social, and subscribe to our newsletters