A race against time in Japan

By Catherine Hardy with Reuters

Published on 17/04/2016 - 09:11

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Rescuers dig with their bare hands to find those buried alive after a double earthquake disaster

Dozens feared trapped
250,000 in temporary shelters
Transport network paralysed
Cost of damage could run into billions

What is the latest?

The search for survivors from twin earthquakes in Japan is becoming more desperate.

Second deadly quake hits southern Japan, rescuers race against time https://t.co/HcX6ashvZZ
— Reuters Top News (@Reuters) April 16, 2016

Rescuers are searching for dozens of people feared trapped or buried alive.

Some are using their bare hands to dig through rubble.

How many rescue workers are there?

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe says he is boosting the number to 25,000.

They are being sent from all over Japan.

Abe has also accepted a US offer of help with air transport.

Is the rescue operation difficult?

Rescuers race against landslides to reach Japan quake victims: https://t.co/ofF1KEZ9KA pic.twitter.com/ukoJAZjHA3
— Rappler (@rapplerdotcom) April 17, 2016

Yes.

Heavy rain means there are concerns about landslides.

There have also been hundreds of aftershocks.

The widespread damage and fear of another earthquake means thousands of people have taken refuge in temporary shelters.

422,000 homes are without water
100,000 homes are without electricity
240,000 people given evacuation orders across the region

Troops are setting up tents for evacuees. Water trucks are being sent to the area.

Survivors are queuing for supplies of food and water.

Has anyone been found alive?

Moment 8-month-old baby is pulled alive from Japan earthquake rubble https://t.co/ds1WDeyu4K pic.twitter.com/JXEFFYJTYF
— Telegraph News (@TelegraphNews) April 15, 2016

Yes.

Rescuers pulled 10 students out of a collapsed university apartment in the village of Minamiaso on Saturday.

Rescuers also pulled some elderly survivors out of the rubble of their retirement home in the town. Some were still in the pyjamas they were wearing when the earthquake struck.

What happened?

Another strong earthquake has struck Japan, reportedly killing nine peoplehttps://t.co/bJSsOVqxwj pic.twitter.com/XlNXgsajpt
— Wall Street Journal (@WSJ) April 16, 2016

A 7.3 magnitude earthquake struck early on Saturday morning.

It was the second major tremor to hit Kumamoto province on the island of Kyushu in just over 24 hours.

The first, late on Thursday, killed nine people.

How many people died in the second earthquake?

Japan’s National Police Agency says 32 people have been confirmed dead so far.

190 of the 1000 injured are said to be in a serious condition.

Will the disaster affect the region’s economy?

Japan's government and companies including Honda are assessing damage from the earthquake https://t.co/PVEZpJ7ft9 pic.twitter.com/f0hn28Y3rf
— Wall Street Journal (@WSJ) April 15, 2016

It is too early to say, according to experts.

Bank of Japan Governor Haruhiko Kuroda says bank operations in Kumamoto are normal.
72% chance of economic damage exceeding 10bn US dollars – US Geological Survey
Major insurers yet to release estimates
Smartphone image sensor plant closed – Sony
Air, road and rail networks severely damaged

What they are saying

“In Minamiaso, where the damage is concentrated, there may still be people trapped under collapsed buildings, so we are focusing our attention and rescue and search efforts in this area” – Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga.

“It is full in there. There is not an inch to sleep or even walk about in there. It is impossible in there.” – a resident of Mashiki town outside a temporary shelter.

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