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Japanese volcano eruption survivors tell heartbreaking stories of victims Japanese volcano eruption survivors tell heartbreaking stories of victims
(about 1 hour later)
Japanese rescuers resumed a grim operation to recover bodies on Monday after 31 people were believed killed in a volcanic eruption, as survivors told of seeing hikers die when tonnes of ash and rocks thundered from the sky.Japanese rescuers resumed a grim operation to recover bodies on Monday after 31 people were believed killed in a volcanic eruption, as survivors told of seeing hikers die when tonnes of ash and rocks thundered from the sky.
More than 1,100 firefighters, police and troops returned to Mount Ontake in a bid to reach those they had to abandon on Sunday when soaring levels of poisonous gas made the operation too dangerous. More than 1,100 firefighters, police and troops returned to the ash-blanketed slopes of Mount Ontake in a bid to reach those they had to abandon on Sunday when soaring levels of poisonous gas made the operation too dangerous.
Smoke was still rising from the peak on Monday, but helicopters had begun a search of the volcano, a popular destination for walkers during autumn. Soldiers managed to bring down eight more bodies by helicopter on Monday, before toxic gases and ash forced them to again suspend the recovery effort in the early afternoon.
Aerial footage showed rescue workers climbing slopes blanketed with thick, grey ash.
At least 31 people were found near the summit of the 3,067-metre (10,121-foot) volcano, which erupted on Saturday without warning, spewing ash, rocks and steam.At least 31 people were found near the summit of the 3,067-metre (10,121-foot) volcano, which erupted on Saturday without warning, spewing ash, rocks and steam.
Four were confirmed dead, all men, aged between 23 and 61.Four were confirmed dead, all men, aged between 23 and 61.
Rescue workers were trying to bring down at least 27 people still on the volcano who were believed killed. Six were airlifted late on Monday morning, the public broadcaster NHK reported. They were technically listed as in “cardiac arrest” – a term applied before doctors can certify death.Rescue workers were trying to bring down at least 27 people still on the volcano who were believed killed. Six were airlifted late on Monday morning, the public broadcaster NHK reported. They were technically listed as in “cardiac arrest” – a term applied before doctors can certify death.
About 40 people were hurt by flying rocks and inhaling poisonous fumes.About 40 people were hurt by flying rocks and inhaling poisonous fumes.
Heartbreaking stories began to emerge from survivors who made it down the mountain as rolling clouds of volcanic debris swept down its flanks, smothering everything in their path.Heartbreaking stories began to emerge from survivors who made it down the mountain as rolling clouds of volcanic debris swept down its flanks, smothering everything in their path.
“Some people were buried in ash up to their knees and the two in front of me seemed to be dead,” a woman hiker told the private Asahi network.“Some people were buried in ash up to their knees and the two in front of me seemed to be dead,” a woman hiker told the private Asahi network.
Another told how she had heard the last moments of a victim battered by a cascade of rocks.Another told how she had heard the last moments of a victim battered by a cascade of rocks.
“There was someone lying outside the hut after being hit in the back,” she said. “He was saying ‘It hurts, it hurts,’ but after about half an hour he went quiet.”“There was someone lying outside the hut after being hit in the back,” she said. “He was saying ‘It hurts, it hurts,’ but after about half an hour he went quiet.”
Seiichi Sakurai, who had been working at one of the huts near the top of the volcano, told NHK he had tried his best to help people but could not save them all.Seiichi Sakurai, who had been working at one of the huts near the top of the volcano, told NHK he had tried his best to help people but could not save them all.
“Ash was constantly falling ... some people were buried alive but I could do nothing but tell [rescuers] about them over the radio,” he said.“Ash was constantly falling ... some people were buried alive but I could do nothing but tell [rescuers] about them over the radio,” he said.
Another survivor told the Yomiuri newspaper he had seen a boy shouting “It’s hot” and “I can’t breathe!” near the peak, before the ash clouds turned everything black and silent.Another survivor told the Yomiuri newspaper he had seen a boy shouting “It’s hot” and “I can’t breathe!” near the peak, before the ash clouds turned everything black and silent.
Anguished families waited for news. A tearful father sobbed as he clutched a photograph of his son and the young man’s girlfriend, who had not been heard from since the eruption.Anguished families waited for news. A tearful father sobbed as he clutched a photograph of his son and the young man’s girlfriend, who had not been heard from since the eruption.
An elderly woman told the Asahi network her son had telephoned her just after gas, rocks and ash began spewing from the volcano.An elderly woman told the Asahi network her son had telephoned her just after gas, rocks and ash began spewing from the volcano.
“He told me it erupted ... He said ‘It’s over. I’m dying now’ and then the line was cut off,” the woman said.“He told me it erupted ... He said ‘It’s over. I’m dying now’ and then the line was cut off,” the woman said.
The meteorological agency forecast further eruptions, warning that volcanic debris might settle within four kilometres (2.5 miles) of the peak.The meteorological agency forecast further eruptions, warning that volcanic debris might settle within four kilometres (2.5 miles) of the peak.
Japan’s meteorological agency keeps a round-the-clock watch on 47 volcanos thought to be at risk of violent activity over the next century, including Mount Fuji, whose eruption could have a catastrophic effect on the country’s economy.Japan’s meteorological agency keeps a round-the-clock watch on 47 volcanos thought to be at risk of violent activity over the next century, including Mount Fuji, whose eruption could have a catastrophic effect on the country’s economy.
But Toshitsugu Fujii, a vulcanologist at the agency, admitted accurate forecasting was very difficult.But Toshitsugu Fujii, a vulcanologist at the agency, admitted accurate forecasting was very difficult.
Steam explosions such as those on Ontake often occured without warning, he said.Steam explosions such as those on Ontake often occured without warning, he said.
“People may say we failed to predict this [because there were earthquakes in September] but this is something that could not be helped, in a sense. That’s the reality of the limit of our knowledge,” he said.“People may say we failed to predict this [because there were earthquakes in September] but this is something that could not be helped, in a sense. That’s the reality of the limit of our knowledge,” he said.