Two avalanches in Fukushima Prefecture northeastern Japan forced road closures, isolating 35 people in the affected hot spring district.

The first avalanche occurred on February 10 around 4AM in the Tsuchiyu Onsen hot spring district of Fukushima City, blocking approximately 5.6 kilometers of prefectural road.

Two hot spring accommodation facilities were inaccessible by road, which isolated the 160 guests and employees present at the time.

Fukushima Prefecture began transporting guests to safety by bus at around 11:30AM when the road closure was lifted.

A second avalanche occurred causing the road closure to be reinstated 10 minutes after the order was lifted, now isolating the 35 remaining guests and employees.

The same 5.6 kilometers area of the prefectural road is closed once again. Utilities remain unaffected at the facilities.