Search for missing hikers on Japanese volcano is abandoned for another day amid fears another deadly

Search for at least 24 missing victims of the volcano has been called off for a second day amid safety fears

Hundreds of rescuers from Japanese military had been preparing to scale Mount Ontake by foot and helicopter
But the hunt was called off this morning after increasingly strong volcanic tremors raised concerns over safety

Scientists believe tremors suggest peak could spew out more rock or could even host another steam explosion

Ash and stones continue to rain down, three days after Mount Ontake erupted without warning, killing dozens
The unofficial death toll soared to at least 36, but at least 24 more hikers and villagers are still unaccounted for

By John Hall and Richard Shears for MailOnline

Published: 06:10 EST, 30 September 2014 | Updated: 06:48 EST, 30 September 2014


Read more: www.dailymail.co.uk... xzz3Eq2RWlhN
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The search for at least two dozen victims of Japan's worst volcanic eruption in decades has been called off again today amid fears that another deadly steam explosion is imminent.

Hundreds of military searchers had been preparing to enter Mount Ontake by foot and helicopter to resume the recovery of at least 24 people caught in a deadly rain of ash and stone after the peak erupted without warning on Saturday when it was crowded with hikers, including children.

Twelve bodies have been recovered from the 10,062 feet peak but at least 36 are feared to have died, with the recovery hampered by high levels of toxic gas and ash piled hip-high in places on the still-smoking mountain. At least 69 people have been injured, 30 of them seriously.
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This is really sad, these were families who had gone out with their children to hike in the mountains, but the Japanese volcano suddenly exploded, it was mostly steam, in what has been dubbed as the worst explosion on Japan in a couple of decades.

Unfortunately we don't know how many people died, and rescue efforts are being put on hold because it is believed that another steam explosion could occur.

a reply to: ElectricUniverse we like to think we can tell when a volcano will erupt,but, this certainly makes you stop and think......sometimes, no warning....these people went out for a nice hike and....this is the last thing they thought would happen