16 people still missing in Japan volcano eruption
5 Oct 2014 5:05 AM IST
Sixteen people are still unaccounted for on the Japanese volcano that erupted without warning, officials said on Friday, on top of the 47 known to have died.
An official from Nagano prefecture, where Mount Ontake sits, confirmed press reports that there were 16 more people believed to have been on the mountain during Saturday’s eruption.
The volcano continues to belch steam and poisonous fumes, making a section near the crater inaccessible. Rescue workers have spoken of up to half a metre (20 inches) of thick, sticky ash smothering the peak, with some of those found dead half-buried, leading to fears others may be entombed.
Heavy rain on Friday forced the cancellation of the recovery operation. Forecasters say a very strong typhoon looming off Japan’s coast was likely to bring further rain and high winds to the area.
An official from Nagano prefecture, where Mount Ontake sits, confirmed press reports that there were 16 more people believed to have been on the mountain during Saturday’s eruption.
The volcano continues to belch steam and poisonous fumes, making a section near the crater inaccessible. Rescue workers have spoken of up to half a metre (20 inches) of thick, sticky ash smothering the peak, with some of those found dead half-buried, leading to fears others may be entombed.
Heavy rain on Friday forced the cancellation of the recovery operation. Forecasters say a very strong typhoon looming off Japan’s coast was likely to bring further rain and high winds to the area.
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