Rescuers battle buckled roads after Japan quake kills 6

Source: Agencies  |   2008-6-15  |     ONLINE EDITION

RESCUE teams using shovels and buckets tried to dig their way today to seven people believed trapped in a landslide at a hot springs resort destroyed by a deadly earthquake that pounded the mountains of northern Japan, killing at least six and injuring nearly 200.

The fire department squads worked as military helicopters buzzed overhead and frequent aftershocks posed the threat of the ground collapsing under their feet.

The seven were believed buried when tons of dirt, rocks and mud came crashing down on the hot springs, which is located in a heavily forested mountainous area outside the small city of Kurihara, one of the hardest hit by yesterday's 7.2 quake.

Search teams have already recovered the bodies of six dead, but believe up to 11 more may be missing. News reports put the number of injured at about 200.

With several major landslides, at least one bridge collapse and roads buckled by the force of the quake, more than 200 people -- many of them near the hot springs -- remained stranded Sunday, and were being slowly flown out by helicopter.

Train service, water and electricity, which had also been cut, was restored to most areas.

"It was the worst quake I have ever felt," said Rinji Sato, whose grocery store in this town near the epicenter was a mess of shattered bottles and foods thrown from their shelves. "We were just lucky this didn't hit a big city."

Sato described as a sharp vertical jolt followed by a powerful sideways swaying. "It was impossible to stay on your feet."

The government quickly mobilized troops, police and fire department rescue teams to find and care for the injured, and recover the dead.

Access and aftershocks -- more than 200 had been felt since the quake -- were a major obstacle.