3 hotel workers found dead near Fukushima hot spring resort

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FUKUSHIMA — A manager and two employees of a hotel in the Takayu Onsen area of Fukushima City were confirmed dead on Feb. 18 after being found lying on the ground in the nearby mountains, the Fukushima Prefectural Police said.

Authorities said there is a possibility the trio had inhaled a deadly gas found near hot springs, reported Japanese media outlet The Asahi Shimbun.

Firefighters had to use air tanks when recovering the victims because of the high concentration of hydrogen sulfide – a gas released by geothermal vents that gives hot springs their pungent smell – at the site.

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While the gas is said to have health benefits at low levels, it can cause shock, convulsions and even death when present in high levels.

The three men, who were in their 50s to 60s, had entered the mountains at about 2pm on Feb 17 to manage the source of the hot spring.

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Their employer said they had been conducting a routine maintenance check, which occurs every two weeks, reported The Asahi Shimbun.

When they did not return, an employee of the hotel called the police.

They were then discovered lying in the snow about 100 meters from the mountain trail entrance north of the hotel.