Avalanche kills 3 as heavy snow hits Japan

Three people have been killed in an avalanche in northern Japan, local media reported Thursday, as a powerful winter storm blanketed many parts of the country, as dpa reported. One man and two women were taken to hospital after being buried in snow when an avalanche hit a hot-spring resort in Akita prefecture late Wednesday, but they were later pronounced dead, public broadcaster NHK reported. Heavy snow continued to hit wide areas of the country, causing the cancellation of some train services and flights and blocking roads, as the Meteorological Agency warned of more avalanches and traffic holdups.