A reported volcanic eruption near a ski resort in central Japan has injured at least nine people, with footage of the eruption’s aftermath showing a plume of black smoke billowing across the ski fields.
Mount Kusatsu-Shirane, located in Japan’s central Gunma Prefecture, erupted at around 10am local time, according to reports from the Japanese Meteorological Agency.
The eruption apparently caught patrons at the resort off-guard, with a subsequent avalanche trapping an unconfirmed amount of skiers. The Japanese military confirmed that six soldiers were among those who were initially buried by the avalanche, all of whom were rescued.
Injuries were also suffered by patrons riding a gondola, where an apparent flying rock shattered a window causing cuts and abrasions.
Five people are confirmed to have suffered broken bones, with the confirmed injuries not said to be life-threatening.
However unconfirmed reports, including one from the BBC, indicate that at least one person could be missing in the wake of the eruption and avalanche.
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Authorities have raised the volcano threat level to three, meaning people are advised to not ascend the mountain.
Meteorological officials could not confirm immediately if the avalanche was triggered by the eruption, only stating that both happened at the same time.
Japan has 110 active volcanoes and actively monitors 47 of them. The last major incident in the country occurred in 2014 with the eruption of Mount Ontake, which resulted in the deaths of 63 people.
Officials are investigating this latest volcanic incident.
