At least 16 people were injured when an avalanche hit a Japanese ski resort near Kusatsu in Gunma Prefecture, according to officials.
According to the Japan Meteorological Agency, the country's Kusatsu-Shirane volcano in "appears to have erupted," however, it cannot yet be confirmed whether this triggered the avalanche.
Aerial footage reveals a massive swath of the snowy volcano covered in dark gray ash.
The Japan Meteorological Agency called on local residents to avoid the area after it detected "slight volcanic activity."
According to the Japanese Defense Ministry, six soldiers were among the 30 or so people taking skiing lessons at the time; they were rescued after being hit by the avalanche.
"They are injured but their injuries are not life-threatening," a ministry spokesman said.
Japan is one of the world's most seismically active nations; the last massive eruption took place in 2014.