Japan: Mass evacuations and safety fears after deadly earthquakes rock southern Japan

More than 200,000 people have been told to evacuate their homes in the wake of 2 powerful earthquakes that hit Japan leaving as many as 40 people dead.

Japanese authorities have issued evacuation orders to around 240,000 people amid growing fears of landslides and overcrowding at emergency shelters set up to house those affected by the 7.3 magnitude tremor.

Rescue operations launched following Saturday morning's quake are continuing in a desperate bid to find survivors in the rubble caused by the tremor but Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has warned a government meeting that as bad weather continues efforts may be hampered.

He said: "The wind is expected to pick up and rain will likely get heavier.

Rescue operations at night will be extremely difficult ... It's a race against time."
  [itv.com]

16/4/16
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