Dramatic photos of mudslide with 20 missing in Japan

At least 20 people are missing after mudslide It took place in the Japanese city of Atami, just over 100 kilometers from Tokyo, dragging homes, vehicles, and a lot of urban furniture. The tragedy occurred in the middle of the twenty-first century rainy season recordwith the accumulation of it Exceed 550 mm In just over 48 hours.

The tragedy occurred at 10:30 a.m. local time on Saturday. “Listen Terrible noise, and I saw a mud wall coming down, while some workers Urging people to evacuate. I also ran to be safe in the heights,” a witness linked to Japanese public broadcaster NHK.

“When I came back, Homes and cars disappearedHe added, “In various videos taken by neighbors, it was possible to see the huge mudslide.” Entire buildings and vehicles were swept away And part of the power lines and Atami Road A popular tourist destination for them “onsen” Or Japanese hot springs.

rescue men They managed to retrieve the bodies of two people, which was dragged through the mud to the city’s port area. Meanwhile, the search continues for 20 others who were missing after the avalanche.

Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga said “every possible resource” will be mobilized to try to find the disappeared and help the victims, speaking to local media at an emergency meeting.

The local authorities also ordered The evacuation of about 20,000 people In Atami and several thousand more in various parts of southwestern Japan, while Shizuoka, Kanagawa and Chiba Prefectures remain on high weather alert.

The entire avalanche happened The rainy season In Japan, it often causes floods and landslides.

near 800 mm It fell from last Thursday to this Saturday in Kanagawa Prefecture, southwest of Tokyo, while in Shizuoka more than 550 mm.

It also caused heavy rain Disruptions in the rail transport network, with the temporary suspension of high-speed Shinkansen services between Tokyo and Shin-Osaka stations, as well as other domestic lines, according to operating companies.

The Japan Meteorological Agency has warned of the risks of continued flooding and land displacement over the weekend on the country’s west coast, which is the middle of the summer rainy season, and in light of expectations for continued heavy rain.