Volcano Eruption envelops over 200 hikers with ash and rocks

On Saturday, Japan’s Mount Ontake volcano erupted, releasing an enormous cloud that thundered down the mountain, enveloping over 200 hikers in thick ash and rocks. According to the Nagano Prefecture Police, 36 people are presumed dead, with twelve having been recovered and identified, and 24 still on the mountain.

Climbers descend Mt. Ontake to flee as the volcanic mountain erupts

A dozen more bodies were found near the summit of Mount Ontake on Wednesday, bringing the death toll from Saturday’s eruption in central Japan rose to 48.

This picture taken on the 28th shows rescue workers and Self Defence Force soldiers
searching for survivors among ash covered mountain cottages on the top of Mount Ontake

The Japan Meteorological Agency has declared the Volcanic Alert Level for the mountain to 3, meaning that people are instructed not to approach the volcano under any circumstances, as another eruption could take place within the next week. Mount Ontake is Japan’s second tallest mountain (after Mount Fuji) at 10,060 feet.

CNN reports:
Authorities estimated there were 200 to 250 hikers in the area at the time of the eruption. Most of them were reported to have managed to make the long trek down the mountain.

This picture taken on the 28th shows mountain cottages
and a Shinto shrine covered with volcanic ash

Volcanic gases billow from the peak crater of Mount Ontake Tuesday afternoon

Sources:

www.salon.com
globalnews.ca
www.jma.go.jp