On Sunday, more than 1,000 police, firefighters, and soldiers waded through the massive mudslide which ripped through a Japanese resort city southwest of Tokyo on Saturday. It left at least 20 people dead and left many others missing as it destroyed houses and cars.
Yoshihide Sug, Prime Minister, stated to reporters that 19 people were rescued and 130 homes and other buildings were destroyed in Atami.
After an emergency Cabinet meeting, he stated that two people had been killed and more were missing. Disaster officials had earlier said that about 20 people were still missing, but they warned that this number could rise. Officials from Shizuoka prefecture said that three people were injured.
Suga stated that the area still experiences heavy rainfall but that arduous rescue efforts will be continued. He also warned residents to be on the lookout for more landslides. To stay safe, please act quickly.
Troops, firefighters, and other rescue workers were backed by three coastguard ships. They worked to remove the mud from Atami’s streets and reach those who may be trapped or being taken away. Except for their hard hats, the rescue workers were barely visible through the thick fog and rain. Six military drones were flying to aid in the search.
Shizuoka Governor. Heita Kawakatsu stated that the disaster may have been caused by land development downstream from the affected areas. Kawakatsu stated that large amounts of soil had been piled up in the affected area. However, it is not yet known if this was the cause.
Kawakatsu stated that he would investigate the land development. According to media reports, a planned housing project was abandoned because its owner had financial problems.
After heavy rains several days earlier, a mudslide occurred on Saturday. It crashed down a mountainside and into rows of homes. The scene was captured on cell phone video by witnesses, who heard their horror and gasps.
Witnesses claimed they heard a huge roar, then watched helplessly in horror as their homes were submerged by the muddy waters.
Mariko Hattori was an interpreter, who lived a few steps from the spot where the tsunami-like torrential mud hit. She didn’t initially know what had happened.
“The first thing I noticed was a lot of emergency vehicles. She said that she didn’t understand what had happened at first. “Then, I was scared when I saw the footage.”
Izusan is located about 100 km (60 miles) south of Tokyo in the area of Atami that was hit by the mudslide. It is known for its hot springs, shrine and shopping streets.
Yuka Komatsu (47), a journalist from Asahi, said that she narrowly avoided the mudslide at an evacuation center after witnessing an apartment building being struck. She was terrified and ran to her mother, who jumped into her car. She looked in the rearview mirror and saw a muddy stream of water coming from behind, as it washed away broken trees and rocks.
She said, “I wonder what happened?”
