Sudden volcano causes death, panic in Japan

29 กันยายน 2557

Mount Ontake erupted without warning on Saturday, killing more than 30 people near the summit and spreading panic among the many hikers in the area. (Videos included)

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This aerial picture taken on September 28, 2014 shows rescue workers and Self Defence Force soldiers searching for missing climbers and survivors among ash covered mountain cottages on the top of Mount Ontake at Nagano prefecture, one day after Japan's volcano Ontake erupted in central Japan. AFP PHOTO / JIJI PRESS

More than 30 feared dead on Japan volcano: police

OTAKI, Japan, AFP – The first deaths were confirmed Sunday among more than 30 hikers feared killed near the peak of a Japanese volcano that erupted without warning, spewing ash, rocks and steam.

Rescue workers battling rocketing levels of sulphurous gas found 31 people in "cardiac arrest" near the summit of 3,067-metre Mount Ontake, which erupted around noon on Saturday, police and local officials said.

The term is usually applied before doctors can certify death. Four of those found were brought down the volcano on Sunday where they were confirmed dead, broadcaster NHK reported.

The news appeared to confirm fears that there was little hope for those still on the volcano.

It takes video to show the true horror of the sudden eruption. The first is dramatic footage from Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport showing the extent of the eruption from a distance and the second was shot near the mountain summit as anxious hikers made their escape.

Rescue efforts were called off mid-afternoon Sunday because the environment was becoming too dangerous for emergency workers, an official at the Nagano prefectural government told AFP.

Firefighters have separately confirmed a total 30 people with injuries, including one serious case, he said, adding that the number could still change.

Some 550 soldiers, police and firefighters took part in a major operation to reach those stranded on the volcano since it erupted into a sunny autumn sky during a busy weekend for tourists and hikers.

A suffocating blanket of ash up to 20 centimetres deep covered a large area of the volcano, and had forced up to 150 to seek refuge in mountaintop shelters at one point.

Local officials believe 45 to 49 people sheltered overnight in cabins on the mountain, although details remained unclear.

AFP PHOTO / MINISTRY OF LAND, INFRASTRUCTURE AND TRANSPORT CHUBU REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT BUREAU via JIJI PRESS

The mountain is popular among walkers, particularly in late September when the turning of the autumn leaves makes for dramatic scenery.

Hikers who descended from the volcano reported scenes of horror, with stones raining down and hot ashes filling the air.

Video footage shot inside a cabin, taken shortly after the eruption and shown on NHK, revealed the screams of terrified hikers as rocks thundered against the roof and walls.

Grey, ash-filled air could be seen rolling against the window, thickening into darkness and leaving just the soundtrack of debris pounding on the structure.

A group of 25 hikers – including a schoolchild – who spent the night in a shelter, were able to climb down Sunday to reach the start of one trail.

A middle-aged man who was among the group said they had been near the summit.

"People panicked," he told NHK, his face smudged with ashes. "Honestly, I am glad I was able to come back alive."

Emergency helicopters rescued seven people, including two who were able to wave at a Self Defence Force helicopter.

Some 230 hikers were able to make it to safety soon after the eruption.

Television footage showed a line of rescue workers in orange uniforms or green camouflage walking through what looked like a moonscape.

Among the injuries were those caused by flying rocks and internal burns from inhaling volcanic fumes, the Yomiuri Shimbun said.

The meteorological agency forecast further eruptions, warning that volcanic debris may settle within four kilometres of the peak.

The agency also restricted access to the mountain, while calling on local residents to remain alert since an eruption could shatter windows miles away.

The last significant eruption of Mount Ontake, which straddles Nagano and Gifu prefectures in the centre of the country, was in 1979 when it expelled more than 200,000 tonnes of ash, according to local media.

There were more moderate eruptions in March 2007 and in May 1991.