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Japan's Mount Ontake volcanic eruption traps hikers Japan's Mount Ontake volcanic eruption injures 30
(about 7 hours later)
Several climbers have been injured in Japan after Mount Ontake volcano erupted, sending huge plumes of ash and stones into the sky. At least 30 people have been seriously injured in Japan after Mount Ontake volcano erupted, sending huge plumes of ash and stones into the sky.
Witnesses heard a "thunder-like" boom before the eruption at the 3,067m (10,120ft) peak, situated between Nagano and Gifu prefectures. More than 10 remain unconscious, police said. Some were covered by the debris.
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe says the army will help rescue some 150 climbers sheltering in lodges near the summit. The eruption at the 3,067m (10,120ft) peak, situated between Nagano and Gifu prefectures, trapped hundreds of climbers who were forced to seek shelter in lodges near the summit.
Officials have warned residents within a 4km radius of the risk of debris. Some 230 have managed to descend - some 40 have yet to be rescued.
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe authorised army units to help those trapped.
Officials warned residents within a 4km radius of the risk of debris.
Mount Ontake last erupted in 2007.Mount Ontake last erupted in 2007.
"It was like thunder," a woman who runs a lodge near the summit told Japanese broadcaster NHK."It was like thunder," a woman who runs a lodge near the summit told Japanese broadcaster NHK.
"I heard boom, boom, then everything went dark.""I heard boom, boom, then everything went dark."
"There are 15cm (six inches) of ash on the ground," she said. "There are 15cm [six inches] of ash on the ground," she said.
Some climbers have managed to descend. One of the climbers who managed to descend told NHK, "I escaped with my bare life."
"I escaped with my bare life," one told NHK.
"Immediately after I watched the eruption, I rushed away but I was soon covered with ash.""Immediately after I watched the eruption, I rushed away but I was soon covered with ash."
Two of those injured have fractured bones caused by flying rocks, NHK said.
Three people are missing, believed buried under volcanic ash, it said. A fourth was rescued but remains unconscious, the broadcaster added, citing police.
Kiso Prefectural Hospital, near the mountain, said it had dispatched a medical emergency team.
"We expect a lot of injured people so we are now getting ready for their arrival," said an official at the hospital.