The death toll from the sudden eruption of Mount Ontake continues to rise as more bodies are discovered on the sacred mountain. The number now stands at 48 and will more than likely increase further.

Twelve more bodies were discovered near the summit o f the popular tourist spot and the location of Japan’s highest mountain lake. At the time of it’s eruption on Saturday, the mountain was alive with hikers and tourists, many were trapped by the eruption and were unable to make their way down the mountain until Saturday evening.

It is unknown how many people were on the mountain when the eruption began around noon, and so searchers are unaware of exactly how many people are missing as a result of the eruption. Hundreds of searchers, with the help of search and rescue helicopters continue to comb through the the ash-laden scene in search of an indeterminate number of victims.

Mount Ontake, the second highest volcano in Japan, last erupted in 1979.

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