19 missing after mudslide sweeps away homes in Japan

ATAMI: A powerful mudslide carrying a deluge of black water and debris crashed into rows of houses in a town west of Tokyo following heavy rains on Saturday, leaving at least 19 people missing, officials said.

Dozens of homes may have been buried in Atami, a town known for hot springs, said Shizuoka prefecture spokesman Takamichi Sugiyama.

Public broadcaster NHK gave the number of missing people at 20, but Sugiyama said the prefecture confirmed at least 19, although he said the number may grow.

Torrential rains have slammed parts of Japan starting earlier this week.

Experts said dirt had been loosened, increasing landslide risks in a country filled with valleys and mountains.

Evacuation warnings were issued for a wide area, including the so-called “Level 5,” which is the highest possible alert.