Power has been restored and flights have resumed in the northern Japan island of Hoddaido following a magnitude 6.6 earthquake that struck the area early Thursday, triggering landslides and killing at least 30 people.
The powerful temblor struck at 3:08 a.m. 39 miles from Sapporo in southern Hokkaido, buckling roads, knocking homes off their foundations and causing entire hillsides to collapse, the Associated Press reports.As the sun rose on Hokkaido Thursday morning, rescuers rushed to aid survivors and restore power to the island. Although the earthquake struck at a depth of 24 miles, considerable damage was reported throughout the island.
At least nine people remained missing Saturday after an entire mountainside collapsed on homes. Rescuers are using search dogs, backhoes and shovels as they dig through tons of mud and debris from the landslides triggered by the earthquake.
Power was knocked out to nearly the entire island that is home to more than 5 million. By Saturday, power had been restored to all but 20,000 customers, AP reports.
"It was a relief that it was back yesterday evening, but it feels it took time," said 66-year-old Sapporo resident Tatsuo Kimura, adding that the blackout was a reminder "of how important electric power is in our life."
In Atsuma, a seaside community of about 4,600, mountainsides collapsed, leaving large brown gashes in the hillsides. Homes and farm building were crushed and roads buckled, making them impassable.
Buildings were reportedly engulfed by mud and rocks and fallen trees are blocking roads.
"The entire thing just collapsed," one resident said. "It's unbelievable."
Marcella Rucker
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