Three Workers Die from Suspected Hydrogen Sulfide Poisoning at Fukushima Hot Spring

The men, conducting maintenance at Takayu Onsen, were found dead in heavy snow near high concentrations of toxic volcanic gas.

The victims, aged in their 50s and 60s, were employees of the Kagetsu Highland Hotel and were performing routine maintenance on February 17.
Their bodies were discovered on February 18 near a mountain trail, approximately 100 meters from the hotel, after failing to return from their work the previous evening.
Authorities suspect the deaths were caused by inhalation of hydrogen sulfide, a naturally occurring toxic gas found near volcanic hot springs, though the official cause of death has not yet been confirmed.
Heavy snowfall in the area, reaching up to 57.5 inches, may have contributed to the accumulation of the gas in depressions formed by melting snow around the hot spring pipes.
Rescue teams faced hazardous conditions, including high gas concentrations and frigid temperatures as low as -7.7°C, requiring the use of oxygen tanks during their search.