A natural disaster struck the Saganoseki area of Oita City on Tuesday evening, engulfing more than 170 buildings. The fire affected residential and commercial structures, leaving the local community in urgent crisis.
Immediately, firefighters from Oita and Kumamoto prefectures dispatched over 50 fire trucks and disaster response helicopters to the scene. Despite their efforts, the fire continued spreading for more than 17 hours, as of Wednesday morning.
Meanwhile, authorities reported that one person was found in cardiac arrest and later died. Additionally, the whereabouts of 76-year-old resident Kiyoshi Inagaki remain unknown. Emergency teams are working urgently to confirm his safety. A woman in her 50s was hospitalized with suspected airway burns.
Consequently, the Oita prefectural government invoked the Disaster Relief Law and requested support from the Self-Defense Forces. At the same time, the central government set up a liaison office at the Prime Minister’s Office Crisis Management Center. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi pledged maximum government assistance and coordination.
The fire reportedly started around 5:40 p.m. on Tuesday, according to the Oita prefectural disaster management headquarters. Moreover, strong winds averaging 18 kph accelerated the blaze, spreading flames across nearby forests, mountains, and even the uninhabited island of Tsutashima. As a result, the burned area reached roughly 48,900 square meters.
In response, city officials opened an evacuation center at the Saganoseki community center. Initially, 188 people from 125 households sought refuge. By Wednesday morning, 170 residents from 110 households remained at the center. Additionally, power outages affected about 270 households.
Officials emphasized the importance of coordinated firefighting. They instructed that activities must integrate resources from Kumamoto Prefecture and the Self-Defense Forces. Governor Kiichiro Sato, attending to duties outside the prefecture, provided instructions online to ensure timely response.
Furthermore, the affected area, located 25 kilometers east of central Oita City, hosts a thriving fishing industry. Local specialties, including horse mackerel and mackerel, may face temporary disruption. Analysts warned that this natural disaster could also affect local economic activity in the coming weeks.
Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely and urge residents to follow safety measures. They stressed that swift containment is essential to prevent further damage. This natural disaster highlights the vulnerabilities of high-density residential zones near forests and coastal areas.
