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IN PHOTOS: Powerful images as Japanese volcano Mount Ontake erupts

In this Sunday, Sept. 28, 2014 photo released by Tokyo Fire Department, firefighters carry a hiker trapped in the summit area of Mount Ontake during Saturday's initial eruption during rescue operations in central Japan. AP Photo/Tokyo Fire Department

TORONTO – A dozen more bodies were found near the summit of Mount Ontake on Wednesday, bringing the death toll from Saturday’s eruption in central Japan rose to 48.

READ MORE: Bodies found on Japan volcano, raising toll to 48

As some ash and gases spewed from the crater, earchers carried devices to measure the toxicity of the gases to make sure it was safe to be on the slopes.

Rescue workers board a defense force helicopter heading for the top of Mount Ontake during a search operation on October 1, 2014 following a September 27 volcanic eruption near Otaki village in Nagano prefecture. JIJI PRESS/AFP/Getty Images
Volcanic gases and ash billow from the peak crater of Mount Ontake in central Japan Tuesday afternoon, Sept. 30, 2014. AP Photo/Kyodo News

Ground Self-Defence Forces helicopters brought the bodies to the foot of Mount Ontake. Prefectural and police officials said most bodies were found around the summit, where many climbers were resting or having lunch at the time of the eruption.

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VIDEO: Amazing cellphone video of climbers fleeing eruption on Mount Ontake

Other victims were found at a slightly lower elevation that reportedly had little place to hide.

Rescue workers put their gear away as rescue operations on Japanese volcano Mount Ontake are halted for the day on September 30, 2014, in Nagano prefecture, central Japan. Helicopters were ordered to remain on the ground while troops, firefighters and police were stood down for the day, having done no real searching since the operation was suspended because of rocketing levels of toxic gas near the still-fragile peak. JIJI PRESS/AFP/Getty Images
In this photo taken by an anonymous climber and was offered to Kyodo News, climbers descend Mt. Ontake to flee as the volcanic moutain erupts in central Japan, Saturday, Sept. 27, 2014. AP Photo/Kyodo News
This aerial picture taken on September 28, 2014 shows rescue workers and Self Defence Force soldiers searching for missing climbers and survivors among ash covered mountain cottages on the top of Mount Ontake at Nagano prefecture, one day after Japan’s volcano Ontake erupted in central Japan, which straddling Nagano and Gifu prefecture. JIJI PRESS/AFP/Getty Images
An injured climber, center, is helped by a firefighter, left, after descending Mount Ontake in Gero, Gifu prefecture, central Japan Sunday, Sept. 28, 2014. AP Photo/Kyodo News
In this photo taken Sunday, Sept. 28, 2014 and released by the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF), JGSDF personnel and fire fighters head for the summit of Mount Ontake to rescue people who have been trapped in the mountaintop lodge during the eruption as plumes of gas and ash are spewed out, one day after the volcano became active in central Japan. AP Photo/The Japan Ground Self-Defense Force
This aerial picture taken on September 28, 2014 shows mountain cottages and a Shinto shrine (above) being covered with volcanic ash on the top of Mount Ontake at Nagano prefecture, one day after Japan’s volcano Ontake erupted in central Japan, which straddling Nagano and Gifu prefecture. JIJI PRESS/AFP/Getty Images
Rescue workers carry a climber rescued from Mount Ontake into an ambulance, in Kiso, Nagano prefecture in central Japan, Sunday, Sept. 28, 2014. AP Photo/Kyodo News
This handout picture taken by Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Chubu Regional Development Bureau on September 27, 2014 shows white smoke rising from Mount Ontake as Japan’s volcano Ontake erupts in Nagano prefecture, central Japan. KAZUHIRO NOGI/AFP/Getty Images
Rescuers help an injured person on Mount Ontake in central Japan, Sunday, Sept. 28, 2014. AP Photo/Kyodo News

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