Toxic gas halts volcano search

  • 10 years ago
Japanese search teams briefly resumed their hunt for more victims of the Mount Ontake volcano eruption on Monday.

It was short-lived.

They found another five bodies but then had to abandon the search because of rising levels of toxic gases at the summit.

At least 36 people are feared to have died when the volcano erupted suddenly on Saturday.

At least 60 more have been injured as stones and ash rained down on them.

The volcano was packed with climbers and hikers at the time.

Ontake last had a minor eruption seven years ago.

The first on record was in 1979.

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