Erupting Japan volcano injures seven, leaves as many as 150 hikers stranded

A Japanese volcano west of Tokyo erupted on Saturday, leaving several hikers stranded near the peak and forcing aircraft to divert their routes, officials and media said. A thick, grey cloud of ash rose into the sky above Mount Ontake and a witness said small rocks were being hurled into the air along with the ash. Seven people are missing and the number of injured is expected to rise, an official said.

It was like thunder. I heard boom, boom, then everything went dark.

Witness interviewed by Japan Broadcasting Corporation

About 250 people were initially trapped on the slopes, but most had made their way down by Saturday night. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe says the army will help rescue climbers sheltering in lodges near the summit. The Meteorological Agency said the volcano, which straddles Nagano and Gifu prefectures 200 km west of Tokyo, erupted just before midday and sent ash down the mountain’s south slope for more than 3 km. There was no sign of lava from the TV footage.

Ontake Asia-Pacific