Published on : Monday, September 29, 2014
The smoke and ash from Mount Ontake Volcano has disrupted several flights crossing over Japan. This has resulted in flight delay at several airports. 31 people are suspected dead with cardiac arrest after their bodies were found by rescue operators near the summit of the Japan volcano that started erupting on early 28.09.14 without prior alarm.
Hikers were climbing the Mount Ontake when sudden eruption left about a dozen climbers completely unalarmed.
The Japan volcano erupted in thundering roars and engulfed hikers in its path. The exact number of people caught in the volcano is yet unclear as the officials are uncertain as to how many people made it off the mountain.
The Authorities are estimating that they were around 200 to 250 hikers on the mount when the volcano erupted. But most of them had reportedly made a long trek down the mountain. Some had put up at lodges on the mountain out of which 10 of them suffered serious injuries. Rescue operators have followed two separate routes up the mountain looking for the injured. Those still alive recount they saw 17-20 inches (40-50 centimeters) of volcanic ash covering the ground in some areas.
More than 25 people apart from those who suffered cardiac arrests were reported as injured. Out of which 10 suffered serious injuries. The government of Nagano prefecture arranged for helicopters to rescue the injured off the mountainside.
The Met department of Japan has predicted another severe eruption within the next six days. Hikers are strictly prohibited from entering the area now. Alert Level for Ontake has been raised from 1 to 3.
The last eruption on Mount Ontake took place in 1979 according to the Global Volcanism Program at the Smithsonian Institute. That eruption lasted months, spewing out more than 200,000 tons of ash. Smaller activities were reported 1984, 1991 and 2007. It is the second tallest volcano in Japan, after Mount Fuji. Hikers love to climb this mountain during fall when the autumnal foliage brings a rich display of vibrant colours on the Mount.
Tags: japan, Mount Ontake
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