Volcano eruption, avalanche at Japan ski resort kills one

Top Stories

Volcano eruption, avalanche at Japan ski resort kills one
Passengers take shelter from a stranded train in Sanjo, Niigata prefecture, north of Tokyo. AP

Tokyo - Most of the injured were on the ski slopes.

By AP/AFP

  • Follow us on
  • google-news
  • whatsapp
  • telegram

Published: Tue 23 Jan 2018, 7:31 AM

Last updated: Tue 23 Jan 2018, 11:47 AM

A Japanese soldier was killed on Tuesday after a volcano erupted near a popular Japanese ski resort, sparking an avalanche that left several injured and scores stranded up a mountain, officials said.
Footage broadcast on Japanese television showed thick black smoke interspersed with falling rocks sliding down the snow-covered side of the volcano towards a ski slope.
Most of the injured were on the ski slopes, while some were in a gondola where glass was broken apparently by a flying rock, said Makoto Shinohara, an official in Kusatsu town. Five people had broken bones, but none of the injuries were life-threatening.

The Japanese military said six soldiers who were among about 30 on ski training were buried by a nearby avalanche, but they were all rescued.
The Japan Meteorological Agency says snow-covered Mount Kusatsu-Shirane erupted around 10 a.m.




More news from