Hopes dim for Japan quake survivors

0 Comments | AFP, June, 2008

KURIHARA, Japan (AFP) — Hopes were fading Monday of finding a dozen people missing after a powerful earthquake in Japan as fears of landslides hampered relief operations.

Nine people have been confirmed dead after Saturday's earthquake, which at 7.2 on the Richter scale was the most powerful to rock an inland area of the tremor-prone nation in eight years.

Twelve people were still missing including four feared buried in the rubble of the Komanoyu inn, a secluded resort with natural hot springs that was smashed to pieces by a mudslide.

Television reports said rescue workers early Monday discovered part of a body of one victim, although officials could not immediately confirm the account.

With shovels and buckets, more than 300 troops, police and...