Searching for missing people in Atami: With every hour hope fades

After the mudslide in Atami, Japan, rescue workers continue to search for victims. Three dead have been rescued so far, the chances of survival of the 80 missing are decreasing.

In some places the mud in the city of Atami stands up to the second floor. The thick brown avalanche that hit parts of the city, 90 kilometers southwest of Tokyo on Saturday, buried a lot under itself.

The helpers continue to search for survivors with sniffer dogs, some of them they found yesterday during the day, sniffer dogs have long been in action. You should recognize signs of life. But with every additional hour hopes fade.

A resident was lucky, he and his house were not damaged. The mudslide came down very close – it is still unclear whether more mud will come after, he says. “I also have electricity, but currently no running water. I know someone whose house has been completely destroyed, and some who are still missing. My house is intact, I pray for those who are still wanted.”

More than 100 houses destroyed

Like many others from Atami, he now fills his drinking water from a tanker truck. In total, more than 100 houses were partially or completely destroyed, and some were pushed to their neighboring houses by the force of the avalanche.

Heavy rains triggered the avalanche. In the region it rained as much in a short period of time as it usually did in the whole month.

Meanwhile 1,500 rescue workers in action

One resident was not so lucky. She stands in front of the ruins of her house: “My house is full of water. I was worried and therefore first went to an emergency shelter.” She has no idea how long to stay there. “The uncertainty really is the worst.”

The number of helpers and rescue workers has increased steadily, now 1,500 are on duty. Since the rain has stopped from time to time, they hope to make rapid progress now.

According to the latest information from the regional government, 100,000 cubic meters of earth fell into the nearby river from a slope into the city on Saturday. Some schools and kindergartens have been closed for the time being due to concerns about further landslides.