16 years ago today, the Great Hanshin earthquake broke out in the Kobe-centered area in Japan. It was early morning. More than 6000 people were trapped dead in their houses. I remember the day just like yesterday. I happened to wake up earlier and saw people commemorating the 16th anniversary of the earthquake in the dark on TV.
Time flies. I was working in the university hospital at that time, and was sent to Kobe city as a member of the rescue team from the university. The transport measures were destroyed hopelessly around the city. Lots of people who had something to do with Kobe city carried necessities to their acquaintances on foot from adjacent areas, like Osaka.
It was the first time for the university to deploy medical personnel to such affected areas. We were not accustomed so that the preparation needed two days. A few fishery boats were chartered for the transport to Kobe. The Kobe port was also destroyed and our boats arrived at the shore which looked to be easy to get off the boats.
The scene of the commemoration reminded me of the rescue activities, during which I couldn't even take a shower. As for the shower, several days after our arrival, the Japan Self-defence Force set up the public bath near our camp. To my surpirse, they sounded like they could build the bridge, the paved road and even the port. It's wonderful.
(Vocabulary)
~ years ago today ～年前の今日
Great Hanshin earthquake 阪神淡路大震災
deploy 〈人・装備・資源など〉 を動員する, 活用する
I can't believe that it has been 16 years either! Time really does fly by! When Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans in 2005, I went with my University to the site 4 months later to help with clean up. It was like a ghost town. I am anxious to see those areas again in maybe 5 or more years from now. (sarah)
Posted by: Sarah | Jan 20, 2011 at 12:15 PM