Death Toll Climbs To 36 In Japanese Volcano Eruption

Emergency crews recovered five more bodies involved in this weekend's volcano eruption in Japan before crews had to end their search efforts for the day due to toxic gases.

Authorities estimate that at least 36 were killed Saturday from falling rock and ash after Japan's Mount Ontake volcano, located about 130 miles west of Tokyo, erupted without warning. The volcano reportedly erupted around noon, at a time when visitors and locals had set out near the volcano for an afternoon hike.

It remains undetermined whether victims died from toxic gas, ash or rocks, but witnesses who managed to escape the natural disaster said they had to seek shelter in local lodges and homes to avoid being pelted from falling rocks.

So far, 24 bodies have been recovered on the summit and another 12 in areas that include a shrine and a lodge found near the summit. The current death toll is at 36 and authorities are seeking information on any other visitors who may have been reported missing by their families. Another 63 have been reported injured from the eruption.

Reuters reported that eight people have been reported missing by their families. One grey-haired man told a local Japanese media outlet that his family is feeling exhausted in their search to find his son, who went hiking at the mountain with his girlfriend on Saturday.

"It's my son, my second son. We've had absolutely no contact at all," the father said of the missing 26-year-old. "We're utterly exhausted."

The country's Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed sadness for Saturday's incident, saying in a statement to reporters: "News of a volcanic eruption at Mount Ontake in Japan is quite saddening. My prayers with the affected."