1,000 in rescue mission to find survivors of deadly Japanese mudslide

MORE than 1,000 soldiers, firefighters and police were yesterday wading through a giant mudslide that ripped through a Japanese resort town, killing at least two people and leaving about 20 missing as it swept away houses and cars.

Prime minister Yoshihide Suga told reporters 19 people had been rescued, and 130 homes and other buildings were damaged in the seaside resort of Izusan, about 60 miles south-west of Tokyo.

Two people were dead but more were feared missing, he said, speaking after an emergency cabinet meeting.

Earlier, disaster officials said about 20 were unaccounted for, but warned the number may rise. Shizuoka prefecture officials said three people had been injured.

“The area is still having heavy rainfall, but arduous rescue efforts will continue,” Mr Suga said, warning residents to watch out for more landslides. “Please act as quickly as you can to stay safe.”

Troops, firefighters and other Shizuoka governor Heita Kawakatsu told a news conference that land development upstream from the affected area may have played a role.

Citing preliminary drone examination, he said massive amounts of soil heaped up in the area were washed down, although it was not immediately known whether the development was the direct cause.

Media reports said a planned housing development had been abandoned after its operator had a financial problem. The mudslide crashed down a mountainside into rows of houses early on Saturday, following heavy rains that began several days ago.