1 Year Anniversary of Mt. Ontake Eruption, Japan's Worst Volcanic Disaster
It was the very first anniversary of the Mount Ontake eruption which happened in Nagano prefecture, central of the Japanese island on 27th of September 2014. This Mount Ontake eruption became the worst volcanic disaster of post war in Japan.
54 people were killed by the disaster with another 5 people still missing from the day. On Sunday, the anniversary day, 440 people has given a silent prayer at a victim memorial ceremony. Around 140 people of those 440 people turned up for the anniversary were the bereaved family members and there were some crying as they miss the victims. This ceremony was held by four cities and villages at Otaki, Nagano Prefecture, located at the foot of the 3067-meter mountain. The silent prayer was offered exactly at 11:52 A.M. which is the exact time of the Mount Ontake's eruption.
Even though there were signs of volcanic earthquake, Japan Meteorological Agency kept the volcanic alert level at 1 which is normal and no need to be evacuated.
Hiromi Ito, 54 years old from Nagano prefecture who has lost her husband in this volcanic disaster turned up for the ceremony on Sunday. She has stood up for a speech representing all the family members and bereaved family. In the speech, she said, "It is very regretting when I think about the fact that Japan Meteorological Agency did not raise the emergency level. If the emergency level were raised before the emission, this number of people did not have to die as they could have evacuated safely. I want Japan Meteorological Agency to learn a lesson from it and improve volcano disaster preventions."
There is a flowers stand located at the original trailhead of the Mount Ontake. Some of the bereaved family members also turn up at this point to give flowers and prays towards the summit of the mountain.
News Souce: Mainichi Shimbun
