Six killed in torrential downpour
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Torrential rains triggered floods and landslides in southern Japan, leaving at least six people dead and 10 others missing, including elderly residents at a nursing home, officials said today.
A mudslide hit a nursing home in Hofu City in Yamaguchi Prefecture yesterday, killing three people and injuring another, as the ground floor of the two-storey building was inundated.
Rescue workers and dogs today searched for four residents who were still missing.
Most of the 90 residents were evacuated to the roof and airlifted out by helicopter.
Also in Hofu, an 85-year-old woman was buried in a separate landslide and found dead, while another person drowned after being washed into a swollen river.
Officials said that in addition to the four missing from the nursing home, six other people - five in Hofu and another in a nearby city of Mine - were still unaccounted for.
Rivers and canals flooded at more than 100 locations, while at least 110 landslides were reported in Hofu, which lies about 620 miles (1,000 km) south-west of Tokyo.
A seasonal rain front has brought torrential downpours in south-western Japan since the weekend where more than 10 inches of rainfall was reported in 24 hours.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments