1 dead, scores injured as volcano erupts in eastern Japan

TOKYO, Jan. 23 (Xinhua) -- A member of

Mt. Kusatsu-Shirane in Gunma Prefecture, northwest of Tokyo, erupted on Tuesday morning at around 9:59 a.m. local time, the weather agency here said, triggering an avalanche at the neighboring Kusatsu International Ski Resort.

The GSDF said that five other members suffered broken bones and other serious injuries after being hit by the avalanche while they were on a ski training exercise.

A civilian trapped in the avalanche was also rescued by the GSDF, it said.

The GSDF fatality follows at least 10 people being injured, 5 of them seriously, as a result of flying volcanic debris including rocks which were launched more than one kilometer from the volcano, according to local officials.

They were among 100 people seeking refuge in a rest house when volcanic rocks crashed through the roof.

Four people were also injured by glass shattering in a ropeway gondola, prefectural officials also said.

According to the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA), smoke was initially seen rising from the south side of the volcano and a volcanic tremor with a large amplitude was detected by sensors placed near the peak of the mountain.

As a result of the eruption, the first since 1983, the JMA raised its warning for Mt. Kusatsu-Shirane by one point to level 3 on its scale which peaks at 5, instructing people not to approach the volcano.

The central government has set up a liaison office at the prime minister's office to collect more information on the incidents and a request has been made by the governor of Gunma to dispatch the GSDF, local media reported.

Mt. Kusatsu-Shirane is a 2,160-meter active volcano with its summit located north of the Asama volcano.

It consists of a series of overlapping pyroclastic cones and three crater lakes.

The largest crater is Yu-gama, an acidic lake with a blueish hue. The surface of the lake has yellow sulfur floating on its surface.

The series of volcanic peaks are located just outside the town of Kusatsu Onsen, which is popular for walkers and hikers as well as those looking to enjoy natural hot springs.