Uki (Japan) (AFP) – Sachi Nishiyama spent two years in temporary housing after twin quakes devastated southwestern Japan in 2016. This week, she slept in her car after a new, powerful tremor that killed at least 30 people.
Temperatures on Thursday were around 35C in the Kumamoto region, two days after the 7.1-magnitude earthquake wreaked major structural damage.Power and water outages have affected tens of thousands of buildings, leaving residents sweltering and thirsty, and fearing yet another repeat of the quake that struck 10 years ago."When this quake hit, I immediately knew the epicentre was close," said 30-year-old Nishiyama."I didn't think this was going to happen here again," she told AFP.Her car offers air conditioning and privacy, but the living conditions are "exhausting", Nishiyama said.
The powerful explosion killed at least four people at Aeon mall in Kumamoto © Philip FONG / AFP
In April 2016, a 7.3-magnitude earthquake struck Kumamoto two days after a magnitude 6.5 tremor. Together those quakes killed 273 people.The Aeon shopping mall was renovated extensively to make it stronger and safer after suffering severe damage in the 2016 disaster.The sprawling complex had reopened gleaming following another makeover in June this year, promising a place where generations could "share smiles" a decade on.
