- More heavy snow is expected in Japan after 800 vehicles were trapped on the expressway
In the photo provided by the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force, its members clear snow off to make enough space for vehicles to move on an expressway near or in Sekigahara, central Japan, Wednesday, Jan. 24. 2024, following heavy snow in the area. more heavy snow was predicted by Weather officials in Japan on Thursday, a day after nearly 800 vehicles were trapped for hours on an expressway in central Japan. (Japan Ground Self-Defense Force via AP)
- Cruise ship hit’s the breakwater in Yokohama
Asia (Commonwealth Union)_Weather officials in Japan predicted more heavy snow on Thursday, a day after nearly 800 vehicles were trapped for hours on an expressway in central Japan.
The 6-kilometer (4-mile) traffic jam took place after two trailers got stuck in the snow on Wednesday, forcing soldiers to come in and help to free the vehicles.
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Japan’s Meteorological Agency said that as much as 60 centimeters (24 inches) of snow could fall in the Tohoku region through Friday, according to Japan’s Kyodo news agency, with heavy snow also expected on the northern island of Hokkaido as well as in other areas.
The traffic jam took place on the Meishin Expressway in Gifu prefecture. Kyodo reported that two children who were in a stranded vehicle became sick and had to be taken to a hospital.
The road was closed by The Central Nippon Expressway Co. which utilized mobilized snowplows and tow trucks to clear the stranded vehicles, while delivering snacks, drinking water and portable toilets for those who were trapped. At the request of the governor of Gifu, the Ground Self-Defense Force, Japan’s army, dispatched troops to join relief efforts.
Cold air from the west formed a cold front and this caused heavy snow to fall in the north-central region of Japan. The severe weather also led to accidents in a number of locations.
Meanwhile, 10 people were injured after cruise ship hit the breakwater in Japan’s Yokohama
On Thursday evening, A night cruise ship collided with a breakwater at the Port of Yokohama in Japan injuring 10 people, it was reported by the local media.
The Japan Coast Guard received a distress call at around 8:20pm local time on Thursday night saying that a cruise ship that had departed from Yokohama Port for guests to enjoy the nightscape hit a breakwater and was inundated injuring the captain, Japanese daily Mainichi Shimbun said Friday.
The report said that though the vessel sustained damage to the bow and experienced minor flooding, there was no risk of it sinking.
In this incident, it was reported that 8 passengers on board suffered minor injuries, while the captain and a crew member also sustained injuries, including to the head.
According to the Yokohama City Fire Bureau, 10 people on board were transported to the hospital, with two moderately injured and eight others slightly injured.
The passenger ship was the 14.98-meter-long Santa Barca. According to the Yokohama Coast Guard Office, a total of 13 passengers and crew members were on board.
The ship had reportedly left the Port of Yokohama for the city of Kawasaki that evening, and had been returning to Yokohama when it hit the breakwater.
This accident questions about the navigational procedures and safety measures in place for such cruise ships, especially when operating in the vicinity of infrastructure like breakwaters.
