Japan(Tokyo) in Shizuka ken Rescuers digging through piles of mud left by massive mudslides in a spa resort town southwest of Tokyo say they aren’t giving up hope — now four days after disaster struck.
More than 20 people remain unaccounted for. 7 people have died.
A wall of mud and debris rushed down this hill in Atami City on Saturday, damaging more than 120 houses. About a third of them were washed away.
About 1,700 rescue workers quickly moved in. They’ve carefully combed through muck and explored damaged buildings.
Now, the focus is on areas where residents are missing.
Atami’s mayor says the search and rescue mission is not over. But he says teams will soon begin another important project.
Saito Sakae said, “The focus will gradually shift to rebuilding people’s lives. That will include restoring the water supply, repairing roads, and figuring out ways to provide housing for evacuees.”
Officials say the danger of another landslide has not yet passed, since more rain is in the forecast.
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