AlHijjah 04, 1435, September 28, 2014, SPA -- More than 30 people were in critical condition near the peak of a volcano in central Japan Sunday, after its eruption on the previous day, local media reported, according to dpa. The trekkers were found in a state of cardio-respiratory arrest by rescue workers searching for dozens of people reported missing following the eruption of Mount Ontake on Saturday, the Kyodo News agency reported. Three other climbers were picked up by a military helicopter early Sunday, Kyodo said, citing local police officials. Plumes of smoke extended up to 10 kilometres above the 3,067-metre mountain, between Gifu and Nagano prefectures, and it continued to erupt overnight, the Japan Meteorological Agency said. The agency was predicting more eruptions and warning of ash and debris in neighbouring areas of the volcano. More than 250 hikers were initially trapped following the eruption shortly before noon on Saturday, but most were able to descend on their own by Saturday night, Kyodo said.
