30 hikers found unresponsive (dead) on Mt. Ontake

[cali]

Thirty hikers found near the peak of Mount Ontake are feared dead after being found unresponsive, rescuers say.

The hikers were not breathing and their hearts had stopped, reports said. Final confirmation of death in Japan always comes via a medical examination.

The volcano, about 200km (125 miles) west of Tokyo, erupted at about noon on Saturday, spewing ash and rocks.

The BBC Rupert Wingfield-Hayes says the continuing eruptions have hampered rescue efforts.

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http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-29399183

[Liberal_in_LA]

1. rip

[Art_from_Ark]

2. I am watching a live report about it on Japanese TV

Today, 24 hikers have been rescued by self-defense forces, 37 people so far have confirmed injuries, but search and rescue has been called off because of poisonous gases. No updates about fatalities. One woman who was interviewed said that two hikers in front of her probably lost their lives. The self-defense forces are not optimistic about finding more survivors.

[MADem]

3. Apparently, there was either no warning, or Japanese seismology equipment failed to pick up

any warning rumbles.

[Art_from_Ark]

6. The Japan Meteorological Agency said there were no precursors

http://www.asahi.com/articles/ASG9W5KFJG9WULBJ00D.html

I imagine that the volcano was being monitored because the last eruption was only 7 years ago.

[Crabby Appleton]

4. Just watched report on CNN

sounded bad.

[pinboy3niner]

5. Damn! I was following this, hoping...

R.I.P.

[adirondacker]

7. So sad for the victims.

"Ordinarily Mount Ontake is a popular place to see autumn foliage.

Its peak is 3,067m (10,120ft) high and the mountain is a popular hiking route, dotted with lodges, cabins and well-marked trails."

[BumRushDaShow]

8. This is just so sad

I had even checked USGS and they did not show any tremors in the area.

There seemed to be a big delay in the M$M covering this, which they are finally doing now... There has always been so much more focus on the Iceland volcanoes but this one had a lodge and people right up near the opening.

[Art_from_Ark]

9. Update on the unresponsive hikers

As of 10:00 p.m. Japan time (9:00 a.m. EDT), only 4 of the 31 unresponsive hikers have been confirmed dead, so there may still be hope for the others.