Official death toll from Japan volcano jumps to 25

TOKYO, Oct 1 (KUNA) -- The confirmed death toll from a volcanic eruption in central Japan jumped to 25 on Wednesday as rescuers retrieved more bodies near the summit, with at least 18 others presumed dead, local police said.
Some 1,000 police officers, firefighters and Self-Defense Forces personnel resumed their efforts to recover the victims on Mt. Ontake, Japan's second-highest volcano at 3,067 meters, in the morning amid continuing volcanic activity.
The rescuers airlifted seven more bodies were to the foot of Mt. Ontake, where doctors declared dead.
They also found 18 other people who had suffered cardiac and respiratory arrest as a result of suffocation from ash or toxic gas near the peak, but in Japan, people cannot be officially confirmed dead until a medical examination by doctors. Search operations were suspended Tuesday due to toxic gas and fears of further eruptions.
The volcano, located about 200 kilometers west of Tokyo, erupted without warning before noon on Saturday, when hundreds of climbers were on the slopes. At least 69 others were injured.
Mt. Ontake is a popular destination for tourists, especially in the fall, when the leaves are turning red. It last erupted in 1979 but no one died. (end) mk.tg