Japanese volcanic eruption causes more than 30 deaths

More than 30 hikers have been found dead near the peak of an erupting volcano in Japan.

Hundreds of people, including children, were stranded on Mount Ontake, a popular hiking site, after it erupted without warning on Saturday (28th September), sending ash pouring down the slope for more than 3 kilometres. More than 40 people were injured, several with broken bones.

Police said the 31 people were found in "cardiopulmonary" arrest on Sunday, with a Nagano prefecture police spokesman telling the AFP news agency "we have confirmed that more than 30 individuals in cardiac arrest have been found near the summit."

Earlier, the Fire and Disaster Management Agency had said authorities were trying to confirm the whereabouts of 45 people. It was not clear whether those 45 included the 31 people found in cardiopulmonary arrest.

An official in the area said rescue efforts had been called off due to rising levels of toxic gas near the peak.

Most stranded on the mountain made their way down hours after the eruption but about 40 spent the night near the 3,067-metre peak. Some wrapped themselves in blankets and huddled in the basement of buildings.

Video footage posted on the internet showed huge grey clouds boiling towards climbers at the peak and people scrambling to descend as blackness enveloped them.

The mountain, some 200 kilometres west of Tokyo, is a popular site to view autumn foliage, currently at its best. 

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