Japan Halts Rescue Mission Over Volcano Fears

A recovery operation to retrieve at least 24 bodies on Japan's second-highest volcano has been halted because of fears of another eruption.

Troops, firefighters and police were stood down for the day and helicopters grounded due to growing levels of toxic gas.

Climbers were stopped in their tracks when scientists noted increasing vehemence in the volcanic earthquakes on the 3,067m (10,121ft) Ontake, with steam and sulphurous gases continuing to billow from Ontake's ruptured crater.

Volcanic tremors have been detected constantly since Saturday's eruption, with underground water boiling into steam and breaking or moving rocks, a volcanologist at the meteorological agency said.

The volcano began erupting on Saturday

"The shakes became bigger, prompting worries over possible secondary casualties," he revealed.

In Tokyo, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe pledged maximum efforts on rescue and disaster prevention.

"There are people still out of contact, although the police, firefighters and the self-defence forces have been conducting all-out rescue efforts despite the ongoing volcanic activity at Mount Ontake," he told MPs.

"The government will continue its utmost rescue efforts with the cooperation of all organisations concerned," he said.

"In light of experience from these disasters, the government is all united in taking disaster-prevention measures including development of necessary laws to protect people's life and property," Mr Abe said.

An injured person is lifted off the mountain by helicopter

Japan's second-highest active volcano erupted without warning during the weekend, spewing gas, rocks and ash high into the sky.

Thirty-six people are known to have died - with officials warning the death toll could be higher - as hundreds of hikers were caught on the slopes of the volcano, with dozens trapped on the peak by flying rocks and hot, toxic gases.

A Japanese army official who took part in the search has said rescuers have been wearing helmets, bullet-proof vests, goggles and masks to protect themselves from any fresh eruption.

Saturday's natural disaster came a month after more than 70 people were killed in huge landslides caused by heavy rainfall in the western city of Hiroshima.

The volcano straddles Nagano and Gifu prefectures

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