JAPAN: Families return to earthquake, tsunami disaster zones, finding few possessions amongst the rubble of their homes

Record ID: 465628

  • Title: JAPAN: Families return to earthquake, tsunami disaster zones, finding few possessions amongst the rubble of their homes
  • Date: 21st March 2011
  • Summary: WIDE VIEW OF HOUSE WHERE OKAZAWAS USED TO LIVE RUBBLE AND FIREFIGHTERS WORKING TO CLEAR RUBBLE FIREFIGHTER STANDING IN FRONT OF POLICE BOAT THAT HAS BEEN JAMMED INTO A BUILDING EXCAVATOR LIFTING RUBBLE IN FRONT OF BUILDING, FIREFIGHTERS ON TOP
  • Embargoed: 5th April 2011 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Japan, Japan
  • Country: Japan
  • Topics: Disasters / Accidents / Natural catastrophes
  • Reuters ID: LVAB5VFQILQ4EYPKCXL8M7KJA6FA
  • Story Text: As roads were cleared in the tsunami-devastated city of Ofunato, families started going back to their damaged homes to try to salvage some possessions.
    The normally bustling Ofunato is now a wasteland of debris, with over a quarter of the houses in the city of 42,000 destroyed.
    The Okazawa family owned a two-storey house, a short walk to the bay.
    They returned to the house on Sunday (March 20), finding their remaining possessions waterlogged or destroyed.
    Ichiro Okazawa, 37 years old, stood and looked at the port area from his home, uncertain how the city will return to normalcy.
    "I'm not even really sure yet, I hope that everything is restored as soon as possible," Okazawa said.
    Ichiro and his four-year-old daughter Hiyori sifted through the rubble and were able to find some clothes and pieces of furniture. The clothes were stored in closets, and were spared from the onslaught of water.
    "This is my favourite one, I'm so glad, I'm so glad I found my favourite dress," Hiyori said as she took a white frilly dress from the debris.
    However, there was no sign of their four pet cats.
    "I really just want to see my cats. My cats, I just want to see my cats," Hiyori said, when asked what she would like to find most.
    The Okazawas are currently living with Ichiro's parents, and Ichiro said they have not decided whether to rebuild their home or move to another town.
    Situated on the coast, Ofunato had a flourishing fishing industry, and international freight ships regularly dock on its port.
    The death toll from the March 11 quake and tsunami has reached 8,133, with 12,272 still missing, the police agency said. More than 250,000 are staying in evacuation centres.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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