Japan: Landslide in Yabakei (Kyushu) April 11; six missing

Event

A landslide occurred around 04:00 (local time) on Wednesday, April 11, damaging homes in Oita prefecture on Kyushu, the southernmost of Japan's four main islands. A mountain slope collapsed behind a group of houses in the town of Yabakei; at least six people have been reported missing. The collapsed slope was about 200 m (600 ft) in width and 100 m (300 ft) in height. The cause of the landslide was not immediately clear, as there had been no heavy rain or earthquakes. However, the area had been designated by the prefectural government as an area at risk for deadly and destructive landslides.

Advice

Those present in the affected region are advised to follow all instructions as issued by local authorities and to keep abreast of the situation.