TOKYO: A Japanese soldier was killed yesterday and several other people injured after a volcano erupted near a popular ski resort, sparking an avalanche and leaving scores stranded—including tourists from Britain and Taiwan, reports AFP.

Footage broadcast on Japanese television showed thick black smoke interspersed with falling rocks rolling down the snow-covered side of the volcano towards a ski slope.

Defence Minister Itsunori Onodera told reporters that one of eight members of the Self Defence Forces who had been on a training mission on Mt. Kusatsu Shirane, northwest of Tokyo, had died after being hit by volcanic rocks.

“His lungs were damaged” because of the impact of the rocks, Onodera said, adding that the other seven soldiers had sustained injuries. The defence ministry had initially said a total of six infantry troops were caught up in the incident.

“Black smoke rose from the top of the mountain and we were told to evacuate inside 30 minutes later,” a man who was at the ski resort told public broadcaster NHK.