Tornado kills at least nine in northern Japan
Pastor Dale Morgan
Tuesday November 7, 2:38 PM Reuters
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Tornado kills at least nine in northern Japan*
TOKYO (Reuters) - At least nine people were killed and more than 10
injured when a tornado hit a building in northern Japan on Tuesday,
local officials said.
"Nine people were killed and more than 10 people were injured," said a
spokesman for the fire department in Engaru, located in the northeast of
Japan's northernmost main island of Hokkaido.
Others were trapped in the collapsed structure but the spokesman could
not say how many were missing.
He said rescue efforts were being hampered by rain.
Television footage from the town of Saroma showed workers trying to
rescue those still trapped in the collapsed prefabricated building,
which a town official said was being used as a temporary dormitory for
workers at a construction site.
Fire engines and ambulances were at the site, were crushed cars could be
seen along with lumber and other scattered debris.
"We hope that the number of deaths will be in single digits, but there
are also people missing," the Saroma official told Reuters.
Local officials also said several houses had been damaged and TV showed
at least one home with its roof torn off.