JAPAN: Room in a tsunami hit town holds photographs pulled from the rubble, as survivors struggle to come to terms with their loss

Record ID: 464724

  • Title: JAPAN: Room in a tsunami hit town holds photographs pulled from the rubble, as survivors struggle to come to terms with their loss
  • Date: 25th March 2011
  • Summary: TEMPLE ENTRANCE IN FRONT OF DESTROYED DOWNTOWN AREA PILLAR OF TEMPLE WITH DESTROYED DOWNTOWN AREA IN BACKGROUND VIEW
  • Embargoed: 9th April 2011 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Japan, Japan
  • Country: Japan
  • Topics: Disasters / Accidents / Natural catastrophes,People
  • Reuters ID: LVA13JIRODMJ5FFH4O7YA73R909A
  • Story Text: When Japan's March 11 quake and tsunami smashed through the coastal town of Yamada, many residents escaped with nothing more than the clothes on their backs.
    They left behind their cars, furniture and precious belongings, including their collections of photos and mementos.
    The monstrous waves of the tsunami left the town of 20,000 people a virtual wasteland. What was not ripped apart by the waves were consumed by fires that ignited when the waters receded.
    Nearly two weeks after the disaster, recovery efforts in Yamada continue, and the town government has set up a room for mementos pulled by rescuers from the debris.
    Photos, diplomas and other keepsakes lie on the floor for survivors to sift through and reclaim.
    Some hoped the dried up photographs could offer clues to help search for their missing loved ones.
    Ikiko Shinohara traveled to Yamada from Tokyo, to look for her older brother.
    "My older brother, his wife and oldest son are still missing, I wanted to look for something that I could hold on to. I've also been asking my friends that survived here for anything they may know," Shinohara explained.
    Rescue workers have recovered 401 bodies in Yamada so far, and many more are still listed as missing.
    For those who lost their homes, any object from their previous lives holds sentimental value.
    Mami Hebiishi, 43 years old, came from an evacuation centre, where fellow survivors were staying.
    "My entire house was washed away in the Tsunami. So I came here and decided to take a quick look through the photos and so there just happened to be this picture here," Hebiishi said, as she held a photo of her now 15-year-old daughter taken when she was three.
    The death toll from the quake and tsunami have topped 9,500, while 16,000 are reported missing, the national police agency said.
    Nearly 257,000 people are staying in shelters around the country.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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