A Russian snowboarder explains what happened when an avalanche struck a ski resort in the Karachay-Cherkessia region of southern Russia on Janaury 18.

The avalanche has prompted a large-scale search hand rescue operation as it is feared up to 12 people are buried under the snow.

Footage shows snowboarder Alexander Romanov explaining in a selfie video what happened in that terrifying moment.

Romanov is heard saying: “We were just sitting in a cafe, eating, and at one point we heard a crash and everyone ran.

"An avalanche descended.

"Now people are looking for those who were left under the snow.

"The whole horror is that there are children riding here.

"The lift is completely broken, the house is destroyed.

"We need to get off this slope, it's just a nightmare.

"There are rescuers looking for people.

"The fact is that here the children rode, how awful.

"This, just so you understand, is a lift and the most important thing is that we wanted to help all dig up, and there are no spades, nothing.

"There are already people digging and there are no extra devices to even help someone dig out.

"Fortunately, we are all alive and well.

"We're past that trouble, but it's a little scary to be in this place when it happened.

"It's a nightmare, there are no words.”

This footage was filmed and produced 18 January 2021.
On the ski track at the time of the avalanche were from 4 to 12 people.
The translation of the video:
“We were just sitting in a cafe, eating, and at one point we heard a crash and everyone ran. An avalanche descended. Now people are looking for those who were left under the snow. The whole horror is that there are children riding here. The lift is completely broken. The house is destroyed. We need to get off this slope. It's just a nightmare. There are rescuers looking for people. The fact is that here the children rode. How awful. This, just so you understand, is a lift. And the most important thing is that we wanted to help. All dig up, and there are no spades, nothing. There are already people digging and there are no extra devices to even help someone dig out. Fortunately, we are all alive and well. We're past that trouble, but it's a little scary to be in this place when it happened. It's a nightmare. There are no words.” said Alexander Romanov, the author of the video.