10 climbers found dead on Japanese mountains

updated 6:15 a.m. ET July 17, 2009

TOKYO - At least six of the 10 mountain climbers found dead in northern Japan died of hypothermia during strong winds and rain, a news report said Friday.

Nine died while climbing Mount Tomuraushi on Hokkaido, Japan's main northern island, said Hokkaido police spokesman Masafumi Yamasaki. Eight were part of an 18-member group tour, while the other was climbing alone. A 10th person died on another mountain on Hokkaido, he said.

The Kyodo News agency said at least six died of hypothermia. But the police spokesman could not confirm it.

The weather at the 7,024-foot Tomuraushi peak was bad Thursday with strong winds and heavy rain, according to Japan's Meteorological Agency. The temperature in the area was around 46 degrees Fahrenheit, lower than the usual 51 degrees Fahrenheit, it said.

Highly unusual
Yoshiaki Takeda, a local official near Mount Tomuraushi, said it was highly unusual to see such deadly accidents there.

"The mountain has several shelters. We hear sometimes that climbers sprain their ankles. But we are not aware of such a deadly accident taking place at the mountain in the past," Takeda said.

Police earlier had said one person was missing at Tomuraushi mountain, but Yamasaki said that climber was rescued.

He could not provide further details.

Kyodo said most of the dead were middle-aged climbers, but Yamasaki could not confirm the report.

Police said no foreigners were among the dead. 

More on Japan

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