RESCUE workers have found 30 or more people unconscious and believed to be dead near the peak of an erupting volcano in central Japan, local government and police said yesterday.

    Nagano prefecture posted on its website that about 30 people had heart and lung failure, the customary way for Japanese authorities to describe a body until police doctors can examine it. At least four of the victims were being brought down from Mount Ontake yesterday afternoon, one day after the volcano erupted.

    A Nagano police official described the number of unconscious people as more than 30.

    Mount Ontake in central Japan erupted shortly before noon Saturday, spewing large white plumes of gas and ash high into the sky and blanketing the surrounding area in ash. The mountain is a popular climbing destination, and at least 250 people were initially trapped on the slopes, though most made their way down by Saturday night.

    Before the unconscious victims were found, the government said 45 people had been reported missing. Rescue workers were trying to help injured people and others who had been stranded on the mountain overnight, many taking refuge in mountain lodges.  (SD-Agencies)