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Japan Volcano Death Toll Rises

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Japan Self-Defense Force (JSDF) soldiers run to assist in a rescue operation near the peak of Mt. Ontake, which straddles Nagano and Gifu prefectures, central Japan, Sept. 29, 2014.
1/10 Japan Self-Defense Force (JSDF) soldiers run to assist in a rescue operation near the peak of Mt. Ontake, which straddles Nagano and Gifu prefectures, central Japan, Sept. 29, 2014.
More than 30 people were presumed dead on Sunday near the peak of a Japanese volcano, Mount Ontake, that erupted unexpectedly a day earlier while it was packed with hikers out to admire autumn foliage, sending a huge cloud of ash and rock tumbling down its slopes.
Japan Self-Defense Force (JSDF) soldiers and police officers take part in a rescue operation near the peak of Mount Ontake. More than 500 rescuers resumed the search for victims of the volcano on Monday, central Japan, Sept. 29, 2014.
2/10 Japan Self-Defense Force (JSDF) soldiers and police officers take part in a rescue operation near the peak of Mount Ontake. More than 500 rescuers resumed the search for victims of the volcano on Monday, central Japan, Sept. 29, 2014.
More than 30 people were presumed dead on Sunday near the peak of a Japanese volcano, Mount Ontake, that erupted unexpectedly a day earlier while it was packed with hikers out to admire autumn foliage, sending a huge cloud of ash and rock tumbling down its slopes.
Volcanic smoke rises from Mount Ontake, which straddles Nagano and Gifu prefectures, central Japan, Sept. 29, 2014.
3/10 Volcanic smoke rises from Mount Ontake, which straddles Nagano and Gifu prefectures, central Japan, Sept. 29, 2014.
More than 30 people were presumed dead on Sunday near the peak of a Japanese volcano, Mount Ontake, that erupted unexpectedly a day earlier while it was packed with hikers out to admire autumn foliage, sending a huge cloud of ash and rock tumbling down its slopes.
This aerial picture shows rescue workers and Self Defense Force soldiers searching for missing climbers and survivors among ash-covered mountain cottages and a Shinto shrine (above) on the top of Mount Ontake at Nagano prefecture, Sept. 28, 2014.
4/10 This aerial picture shows rescue workers and Self Defense Force soldiers searching for missing climbers and survivors among ash-covered mountain cottages and a Shinto shrine (above) on the top of Mount Ontake at Nagano prefecture, Sept. 28, 2014.
More than 30 people were presumed dead on Sunday near the peak of a Japanese volcano, Mount Ontake, that erupted unexpectedly a day earlier while it was packed with hikers out to admire autumn foliage, sending a huge cloud of ash and rock tumbling down its slopes.
Plumes of smoke and ash billow from Mount Ontake in central Japan, Sept. 28, 2014.
5/10 Plumes of smoke and ash billow from Mount Ontake in central Japan, Sept. 28, 2014.
More than 30 people were presumed dead on Sunday near the peak of a Japanese volcano, Mount Ontake, that erupted unexpectedly a day earlier while it was packed with hikers out to admire autumn foliage, sending a huge cloud of ash and rock tumbling down its slopes.
Japan Self-Defense Force (JSDF) soldiers and firefighters conduct rescue operations at mountain lodges, covered with volcanic ash as volcanic smoke rises near the peak of Mount Ontake, which straddles Nagano and Gifu prefectures, Sept. 28, 2014.
6/10 Japan Self-Defense Force (JSDF) soldiers and firefighters conduct rescue operations at mountain lodges, covered with volcanic ash as volcanic smoke rises near the peak of Mount Ontake, which straddles Nagano and Gifu prefectures, Sept. 28, 2014.
More than 30 people were presumed dead on Sunday near the peak of a Japanese volcano, Mount Ontake, that erupted unexpectedly a day earlier while it was packed with hikers out to admire autumn foliage, sending a huge cloud of ash and rock tumbling down its slopes.
A hiker is lifted by a rescue helicopter of Japan Self-Defense Force (JSDF) during a rescue operation at Mount Ontake, which straddles Nagano and Gifu prefectures, central Japan, Sept. 28, 2014.
7/10 A hiker is lifted by a rescue helicopter of Japan Self-Defense Force (JSDF) during a rescue operation at Mount Ontake, which straddles Nagano and Gifu prefectures, central Japan, Sept. 28, 2014.
More than 30 people were presumed dead on Sunday near the peak of a Japanese volcano, Mount Ontake, that erupted unexpectedly a day earlier while it was packed with hikers out to admire autumn foliage, sending a huge cloud of ash and rock tumbling down its slopes.
Plumes of smoke billow near a cabin on Mount Ontake in central Japan, one day after it erupted, spewing large white plumes of gas and ash high into the sky and blanketing the surrounding area in ash, Sept. 28, 2014.
8/10 Plumes of smoke billow near a cabin on Mount Ontake in central Japan, one day after it erupted, spewing large white plumes of gas and ash high into the sky and blanketing the surrounding area in ash, Sept. 28, 2014.
More than 30 people were presumed dead on Sunday near the peak of a Japanese volcano, Mount Ontake, that erupted unexpectedly a day earlier while it was packed with hikers out to admire autumn foliage, sending a huge cloud of ash and rock tumbling down its slopes.
A firefighter allows a fire engine onto a restricted road leading to Mount Ontake as firefighters head to the mountain to aid in the rescue efforts of those stranded and injured, in Otaki Village, Nagano prefecture, Japan, Sept. 28, 2014.
9/10 A firefighter allows a fire engine onto a restricted road leading to Mount Ontake as firefighters head to the mountain to aid in the rescue efforts of those stranded and injured, in Otaki Village, Nagano prefecture, Japan, Sept. 28, 2014.
More than 30 people were presumed dead on Sunday near the peak of a Japanese volcano, Mount Ontake, that erupted unexpectedly a day earlier while it was packed with hikers out to admire autumn foliage, sending a huge cloud of ash and rock tumbling down its slopes.
A military vehicle prepares to head to rescue climbers on Mount Ontake, background, in Otaki Village, Nagano prefecture, central Japan, Sept. 28, 2014.
10/10 A military vehicle prepares to head to rescue climbers on Mount Ontake, background, in Otaki Village, Nagano prefecture, central Japan, Sept. 28, 2014.
More than 30 people were presumed dead on Sunday near the peak of a Japanese volcano, Mount Ontake, that erupted unexpectedly a day earlier while it was packed with hikers out to admire autumn foliage, sending a huge cloud of ash and rock tumbling down its slopes.
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Police in central Japan say they have found the bodies of five more hikers near the summit of Mount Ontake, a volcano that erupted Saturday.

The new discoveries Monday bring the death toll from the eruption to at least 36. Rescue workers then called off the search for the day because of rising levels of toxic fumes.

Mt. Ontake, Japan
Mt. Ontake, Japan

Hundreds of Japanese police and military troops ascended the ash-covered slopes of Mount Ontake Sunday, searching for survivors and casualties from the eruption.

Officials say one person was rescued and other hikers were seriously injured.

Hundreds of people were stranded on the peak after it erupted Saturday without warning around noon, local time. Most made their way down Saturday evening.

Volcanic smoke rises from Mount Ontake, which straddles Nagano and Gifu prefectures, central Japan, September 29, 2014, in this photo taken and released by Kyodo. More than 500 rescuers in Japan resumed searching on Monday for victims of the volcano that
Volcanic smoke rises from Mount Ontake, which straddles Nagano and Gifu prefectures, central Japan, September 29, 2014, in this photo taken and released by Kyodo. More than 500 rescuers in Japan resumed searching on Monday for victims of the volcano that

Mount Ontake is popular among hikers in the autumn. The volcano, which sits on the border of Nagano and Gifu prefectures west of Tokyo, had its last major eruption in 1979.

One climber told NHK the eruption began with loud booms that sounded like thunder. Then came the ash, which surrounded the stunned hikers in darkness.

The meteorological agency has warned people to stay away from the mountain, saying hot debris could fall within a four-kilometer radius.

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