26-6-2024 (TOKYO) 3 climbers were found without vital signs near the summit of Japan’s iconic Mount Fuji, according to reports from Japanese media on June 26. This tragic event occurred just days before the official start of the summer climbing season, a time when thousands of adventurers flock to scale the nation’s highest peak.
The authorities have long cautioned climbers about the risks associated with attempting to conquer Mount Fuji, where hiking trails officially open on July 1. While local police could not immediately confirm the reports, the public broadcaster NHK stated that the three individuals were found near the volcano’s crater, and their deaths were feared.
In Japan, a formal pronouncement of death typically requires confirmation by a medical professional, a protocol observed by media outlets before reporting such incidents.
Mount Fuji, a towering symbol of Japan and a once-peaceful pilgrimage site, stands at 3,776 meters (12,388 feet) and is covered in snow for most of the year. However, during the July-September hiking season, more than 220,000 visitors embark on the arduous journey up its steep, rocky slopes, many attempting to reach the summit without breaks in a bid to witness the breathtaking sunrise.
Tragically, some climbers push themselves beyond their limits, resulting in sickness or injuries that can prove fatal in the unforgiving mountain environment. Regional officials have raised concerns about overcrowding, safety, and the environmental impact on Mount Fuji, prompting measures to regulate the influx of hikers.
This summer, those venturing up the popular Yoshida trail will face an entry fee of 2,000 yen (approximately $17) per person, with daily admissions capped at 4,000 for the first time in an effort to ease congestion and mitigate the strain on the iconic mountain.
