日本因火山爆发死亡人数上升到48人

The death toll from Saturday's massive volcanic eruption in central Japan has risen to 48, after rescuers found 12 more bodies on Wednesday.

Authorities in Nagano prefecture say the bodies were found near the ash-covered summit of Mount Ontake, which was packed with hikers at the time of the eruption.

Hundreds of police and soldiers aided by helicopters continue searching the mountain. Authorities believe an unknown number of people are still missing.

Hundreds of people were stranded on the peak after it erupted Saturday without warning around noon, local time. Most made their way down Saturday evening.

Many of the survivors suffered cuts, bruises and bone fractures, likely after being hit by rocks flying out of the volcano. Toxic fumes and the threat of further eruptions have complicated search efforts.

Mount Ontake is popular among hikers in the autumn.  The volcano, which sits on the border of Nagano and Gifu prefectures west of Tokyo, had its last major eruption in 1979.