Five more lifeless bodies found on Japan volcano: Official

TOKYO: The lifeless bodies of five more people have been discovered on the Japanese volcano that erupted at the weekend, officials said, taking to 36 the feared death toll.

"We have newly found five more people in cardiac arrest on the mountain," a Nagano prefectural police spokesperson told AFP.

First responders use the phrase of someone who appears dead but has not yet been certified by a doctor.

The news came as rescuers called off their search for the day because soaring levels of poisonous fumes from the continuing eruption were making it dangerous.

Mount Ontake erupted around lunchtime on Saturday, when its slopes were busy with walkers enjoying the autumn scenery.