A large-scale rescue operation is underway on the Japanese island of Hokkaido after a powerful 6.7 earthquake triggered several landslides that swallowed a number of houses, injuring and trapping people inside.The rural town of Atsumi has been partially devastated after a chunk of a mountain ridge slid and covered several houses, aerial footage by NHK broadcaster showed. At least 10 people were airlifted to the hospital while others remain missing potentially trapped in collapsed structures.
Besides Atsumi, a number of mudslides occurred along the Route 235, according to local media. So far two people have been confirmed dead, including a man in his eighties who died from cardiac arrest, NHK reports. Another 143 people have been injured, while 38 remain missing after a powerful 6.7 earthquake hit Hokkaido, causing widespread damage.
震度５弱以上を観測したと考えられるものの震度のデータが入っていない北海道厚真町のようす ヘリコプターから撮影#nhk_news #地震 #震度６強 pic.twitter.com/UkWjC0EyBt
— NHKニュース (@nhk_news) September 5, 2018