HOFU, Japan, July 22 (UPI) -- Rescuers searched Wednesday for nine people missing in mudslides and floods caused by torrential rains in Japan's Yamaguchi prefecture, officials said.
The death toll from the mudslides reached seven with the discovery of the body of a female nursing home resident, found dead in the city of Hofu, the Kyodo news agency reported. The nursing home, housing about 90 elderly people, was struck by a mudslide Tuesday, killing at least four residents. Three residents remained missing Wednesday
Kyodo said around 230 rescue workers spent Wednesday removing tons of debris from the nursing home using heavy machinery, trying to extract wheelchairs and beds where the mud reached as high as 6-1/2 feet.
Hundreds of police, firefighters and Japanese troops scoured the area for missing storm victims while three private-sector rescue workers from Itami used search-and-rescue dog teams.
A task force from western Japan was also present in Yamaguchi, led by Motoo Hayashi, the country's state minister in charge of natural disasters. He told reporters the central government would "do its utmost in rescue efforts" and would listen to the concerns of residents.
