Japan: Tornadoes that killed at least 9 people

At least 9 people died, more than 15 were injured and 6 were missing when a cyclone and cyclone swept across the town of Saroma on Japan's Hokkaido island by noon, 7-11.

Tornado causes collapse of house in Saroma (Photo: AP)

According to the authorities, the majority of deaths are due to the temporary collapse of a temporary house at a construction site with about 20-30 workers working. Fire and ambulance groups have arrived in the area, but according to a local Fire Department spokesman, rescue efforts are struggling due to heavy rain.

Local officials also said that 10 houses in other parts of town also collapsed due to tornadoes. Many places in the neighboring town and city of Kitami lost power due to pouring electric poles.

Japan often has small tornadoes, about 20 per year, but this big tornado has caused unexpectedly high casualties. The office of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has set up a communications bureau of the Crisis Monitoring Center to deal with and overcome this tornado.

Previously, in September, Japan also had a large tornado that killed three people in Kyushu island.

T.VY