Three people were found unconscious near a crater of Mount Fuji on Wednesday and later it was confirmed that they were dead, This was reported by the Shizuoka Prefectural Police.
They were found during the search for a 53-year-old male company employee from Hino, Tokyo, who went missing after climbing the mountain on Friday. The three people were found unconscious, separated from each other, near the crater.
Local police are trying to confirm their identities.
Authorities have long warned climbers to be careful when climbing Japan’s highest mountain, where hiking trails will officially open from Monday.
Mount Fuji is covered in snow most of the year, but during the July-September hiking season, more than 220,000 visitors trudge up its steep, rocky slopes.
Many climb all night to see the sunrise, and some try to reach the 3,776-meter peak without breaks, leaving them sick or injured.
Regional officials have raised safety and environmental concerns related to overcrowding on the mountain, a symbol of Japan and a once peaceful pilgrimage site.
Hikers using the most popular route to climb Mount Fuji this summer – the Yoshida Route – will have to pay ¥2,000 ($13) each, with a maximum of 4,000 to ease traffic jams for the first time.
