INTERNATIONAL — February 19, 2026
Eight Skiers Killed in California Avalanche, Search Continues for One Missing
Eight skiers died in a devastating avalanche in a California backcountry area on February 17, with one person still missing amid challenging rescue conditions. The incident is the deadliest U.S. avalanche in over 40 years.
The Ehtebar Desk — originates with Khaama Press — 2 min read
Eight skiers were killed after a powerful avalanche struck a backcountry area in California, with rescue teams continuing the search for one missing person.
The avalanche occurred around 11:30 a.m. local time on Tuesday, February 17, catching a group of 15 off-trail skiers who were returning from a three-day tour, according to The Washington Post. Six people, including one guide, survived the incident and sought shelter.
Authorities in Nevada County confirmed that eight of the nine initially missing skiers were found dead. Officials described conditions as severe, with strong winds, extreme cold, and ongoing avalanche risks complicating efforts and shifting operations into recovery mode.
The tragedy marks the deadliest recorded avalanche in the United States in more than four decades, highlighting concerns over backcountry safety.
Read the original reporting at Khaama Press →
Reliability assessment
Single source provides direct attribution to The Washington Post and Nevada County authorities with concrete, checkable details including specific time (11:30 a.m. on February 17), location (California backcountry), group size (15 skiers), and casualty figures (eight dead, one missing).
Across the newsrooms
Filed by
Khaama Press
Originating
Filed under
International — California, Avalanche, Nevada County, Skiers
Reader supported
Keep Ehtebar running
Every published story uses paid tools to translate reporting, compare sources, extract claims, and produce a clearer read on Afghanistan. Reader support helps keep that work independent.
€5
helps cover daily verification runs
€15
supports a week of source comparison
€50
keeps independent analysis moving
More in International
Trump Says Agreement with Iran Possible but Warns of Military Action if Talks Fail
— Reliable
Uzbek Delegation Visits Kabul to Discuss Investment and Bilateral Relations
— Reliable
Afghan Ambassador to Malaysia Attends Islamic Thought Conference
— Reliable
Discussion on Afghanistan-Uzbekistan Relations
— Reliable