Mount Ontake erupted in central Japan on Saturday, catching mountain climbers by surprise. Photo: Getty
JAPANESE police say at least 30 people have been found dead on erupting volcano Mount Ontake.
Police say the hikers were found “in cardiac arrest” near the peak of the volcano, the country’s second-highest volcano, the Associated Press reports.
The volcano, which is about 200 kms west of Tokyo, erupted on Saturday, spewing clouds of ash and smoke into the sky.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said it was not aware of any Australians being involved in the incident.
Tragedy ... a military helicopter, aiding in rescue operations, flies above Mount Ontake as it continues to erupt. Picture: AP Photo/Koji Ueda The victims have been described as not breathing and their hearts have stopped, which is the customary way for Japanese authorities to describe a body until police doctors can examine it.
An official from Nagano prefecture police said details of where the bodies were found and their identities were not immediately known. He spoke on condition of anonymity because he wasn’t authorised to speak publicly.
Mount Ontake erupted shortly before noon on Saturday, spewing large white plumes of gas and ash high into the sky and blanketing the surrounding area in ash. At least 250 people were initially trapped on the slopes, but most made their way down by Saturday night.
Disaster ... a helicopter lifts a hiker injured during the eruption on Mount Ontake in central Japan. Picture: AP Photo/Kyodo News Source: AP Keita Ushimaru, an official in nearby Kiso town, said that Nagano prefecture crisis management officials had informed the town that at four people were being brought down with heart and lung failures, and that there were others in the same condition.
Rescue workers were also trying to bring down the injured who were stranded on the mountain overnight. Military helicopters plucked seven people off the mountainside earlier Sunday, and workers on foot were also helping others make their way down.
Rescue mission ... firefighters carry a person from the peak of Mount Ontake in central Japan. Picture: AP Photo/Kyodo News Source: AP View the original article here
No comments:
Post a Comment