Local police are searching for missing tourists who were caught in an avalanche at a ski resort in Otari Village in central Japan's Nagano Prefecture on January 30.

The incident occurred at around 2:30 p.m. local time in the backcountry area outside the course of the Tsugaike Kogen Ski Resort.

Thirteen foreign tourists were near the scene, including five that were in the avalanche. So far, 11 of them have slid downhill safely. One tourist broke his arm and was rushed to the hospital.