WHITFIELD: In Japan, four bodies have been retrieved from that volcano eruption. At least 31 people are now presumed dead. Dozens more may be trapped or buried underneath the ash. A rescue and recovery operation is underway at Mount Ontake right now, but officials have no idea exactly how many people are missing or where they might be. CNN's Will Ripley has the story from the base of the volcano.</s>WILL RIPLEY, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): One by one, they are carried off the mountain. More than 30 people with no pulse, in a state of cardiac arrest, all of them near the summit when the mountain erupted. Home video shows a giant plume of gas and ash surrounding and blinding these hikers in seconds. Security cameras captured Mount Ontake rumbling to life Saturday. Its first major eruption in 35 years. More than 200 climbers came to Japan's second highest volcano for the peak of autumn viewing. So many people were near the summit, says this hiker. Everyone were running, but some were hurt and couldn't move. The volcano's rising plume is disrupting air travel. Volcanic ash is raining down hundreds of rescuers below. They face danger from nearly continuous seismic activity and the looming threat of another big eruption possible in the coming days. Please help us says (inaudible) Tokoro, his son and his girlfriend reached the summit just minutes before noon Saturday, just when Ontake blew its top. Both are still missing. Now Tokoro sits on the floor this evacuation center waiting. All I can do is beg for your help to get us information, he says. Please. As each hour passes, desperation grows. Families are waiting for word on their loved ones who were dangerously close to a sweeping volcano that suddenly woke up. Will Ripley, CNN, Mount Ontake, Japan.</s>WHITFIELD: Next, we look at a new web site that offers cash and companionship. The world of sugar daddies and sugar babies next.
Volcano Erupts, Dozens Feared Dead