Rescuers search for survivors after deadly landslide in Japan
- Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga held an emergency cabinet meeting, saying two are dead and at least 20 are missing in the resort town of Atami
- The mudslide early on Saturday crashed down a mountainside into rows of houses following heavy rains that began several days ago
Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga told reporters 19 people had been rescued and 130 homes and other buildings had been damaged in Atami.
Two people were dead but more were feared missing, he said after an emergency cabinet meeting.
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Rescue work continues after deadly mudslide in Japanese seaside city of Atami
Earlier, disaster officials said 20 were unaccounted for, but warned the number may rise. Shizuoka prefecture officials said three people had been injured.
“The area is still having heavy rainfall, but arduous rescue efforts will continue,” Suga said, warning residents to watch out for more landslides. “Please act as quickly as you can to stay safe.”
Troops, firefighters and other rescuers, backed by three coastguard ships, were working to clear the mud from the streets of Atami and reach those believed to be trapped or carried away.
They were barely visible in the rainfall and thick fog except for their hard hats. Six military drones were being flown to help in the search.
The mudslide early on Saturday crashed down a mountainside into rows of houses following heavy rains that began several days ago. Bystanders, their gasps of horror audible, caught the scene on mobile phone video.
Two dead, 20 missing after homes swept away in Japan landslide
Witnesses said they heard a giant roar and then watched helplessly as homes got gobbled up by the muddy waves.
Like many others, Mariko Hattori, an interpreter who lives a short walk away from where the tsunami-like torrent of mud struck, at first did not know what had happened.
“The first things I noticed were lots of emergency vehicles. I didn’t know what happened at first,” she said. “Then I was frightened when I saw the footage.”
The landslide struck in Izusan, part of the seaside resort town of Atami, which is about 100km (60 miles) southwest of Tokyo. It is known for hot springs, a shrine and shopping streets.
