Japanese SAR Team Continues Search For 24 Landslide Victims

Illustration (Pixabay)

JAKARTA - SAR teams in Japan are combing through piles of mud, stones and wood fragments in search of 24 people who went missing on Tuesday, July 6 after heavy rains triggered a massive landslide in the coastal city of Atami three days ago that killed four people. , since 06.00 local time, police, firefighters and soldiers resumed search operations which were temporarily suspended on Monday, July 5 evening. The landslide occurred around 10.30 on Saturday, July 3, and time to save the survivors buried under the debris was running out. "We haven't received any updates on survivors... Rescuers in the field are working hard in the search and rescue operation," said Atami city spokesman Hiroki Onuma. The operation relies heavily on rescuers working by hand. The use of heavy machinery was deemed too dangerous for any surviving survivors. Atami, a city of 36,000 people, is 90 km southwest of Tokyo and famous for its hot spring resorts. The landslide is a reminder of natural disasters, including earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and tsunamis. , which hit Japan, where the capital Tokyo will host the summer Olympics starting July 23.