Search goes on for mudslide survivors

DEEP floodwaters and the risk of more mudslides that have left at least 34 people confirmed or presumed dead have hampered search and rescue operations in southern Japan.

Helicopters and boats have rescued more people from their homes in the Kumamoto region, with more than 40,000 defence troops, the coast guard and fire brigades taking part in the effort.

Large areas along the Kuma River were swallowed by floodwaters, with many houses, buildings and vehicles submerged almost up to their roofs. Mudslides smashed into houses, sending people on to rooftops and waving at rescuers.

At a flooded elderly care home in Kuma Village, where 14 residents were presumed dead after rescuers reached them on Saturday, a rescue continued on Sunday for the dozens of remaining residents and caregivers.

A total of 65 residents and about 30 caregivers were trapped at the riverside care facility Senjuen when floodwaters and mud gushed in. All the remaining 51 residents had been rescued by boats and taken to hospitals for treatment by Sunday afternoon, officials said.

Shigemitsu Sakoda, a local rafting company operator who joined defence troops in the rescue effort at the nursing home, said floodwaters were still high on the first floor when they arrived at the scene on rafts.

“So we smashed windows with a hammer to get in,” he said. Soldiers went up to the roof to rescue survivors who were able to go upstairs while the waters rose, he said. “Unfortunately, some of the residents could not make it to the second floor” Sakoda said.

Overall, 18 people were confirmed dead, while 16 others, including those at the nursing home, were presumed dead.