Mount Fuji, Japan—Rescue teams recovered the body of a hiker from the rocky slopes of Mount Fuji on Wednesday afternoon. The individual had been reported missing early in the morning after failing to reach a designated checkpoint.

Mountain patrol units initiated a search effort shortly after the report arrived at the base camp. The weather conditions remained difficult throughout the morning, with heavy clouds obscuring visibility for the ground teams.

Searchers discovered the victim in a steep ravine located several hundred meters below the main trail. It appears the hiker lost footing on a loose section of volcanic rock.

Helicopter support was requested to reach the site due to the treacherous terrain and sheer incline. The recovery process took several hours as responders managed the descent under constant risk of rockfalls.

Authorities identified the victim as an experienced hiker who had registered for the climb the previous evening. Officials reminded the public that the mountain trails remain unpredictable despite the seasonal opening.

Police and mountain safety groups are reviewing the hiker’s climbing route to understand what went wrong. The body has been moved to a local facility for formal identification.

The trail section where the accident occurred remains closed to allow for a thorough sweep of the area. Officials have issued a strong warning for all hikers to adhere to marked paths and avoid venturing into prohibited zones.

The mountain summit remains open, but authorities are urging caution for those planning to climb in the coming days.