A landslide destroyed about a dozen houses in northern Japan on Saturday, leaving at least two people missing. Two people, a man and a woman, were rescued from houses buried in mud in the city of Tsuruoka in Yamagata Prefecture, northwestern Japan. But still more people are feared to be buried under the debris.
Police said 80 firefighters and police officers launched the rescue operation after a call for help was received after midnight. Yamagata official Susumu Saito said the prefecture has also requested rescue assistance from the Defense Ministry.
Susumu Saito said, “We have not yet received news of his arrival, but an official request has been made.” Some nearby residents have been evacuated to a public facility as a precaution. Saito said at least two people are still untraceable. Police said in a statement that the injuries of the two people rescued were minor.
Covered by mountains, Japan is prone to natural disasters such as earthquakes and floods. The news came as families were preparing to gather for New Year’s celebrations, Japan’s most important festival.
Read this also | Landslide death toll in Malaysia rises to 31; ‘Landowners not licensed to operate campgrounds’