Lake tahoe: The bodies of nine backcountry skiers who were killed earlier this week have been recovered following an avalanche on the California side of Lake Tahoe, officials announced on Saturday. The tragic incident unfolded as the group embarked on a day-trip skiing expedition on Tuesday when the avalanche struck.

According to Anadolu Agency, the victims included six close friends known for their skiing expertise and passion, as well as three professional guides. The Nevada County Sheriff's Office identified the deceased as Carrie Atkin, Liz Clabaugh, Danielle Keatley, Kate Morse, Caroline Sekar, Kate Vitt, and three employees from Blackbird Mountain Guides: Michael Henry, 30, Andrew Alissandratos, 34, and Nicole Choo, 42.

Shannan Moon, the sheriff of Nevada County, expressed gratitude for the recovery efforts, stating, "We are grateful that we can bring them home," as reported by NBC News. The recovery operation involved airlifting five of the victims on Friday with the assistance of a helicopter.

The avalanche affected a total of fifteen skiers, leaving six survivors, two of whom sustained non-life-threatening injuries. In response to the incident, multiple agencies have initiated investigations. The Sierra Avalanche Center is set to prepare an incident report, Cal/OSHA is examining potential workplace safety violations, and the sheriff's office is conducting its own inquiry.