日本山體滑坡至少27人喪生

Japanese officials say at least 27 people were killed and 10 are missing after landslides buried dozens of houses in the outskirts of Hiroshima.

Television footage on Wednesday showed residents and rescue workers searching through the rubble of suburban homes for survivors.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has ordered several hundred soldiers to the area to help with rescue efforts.

The area received about 24 millimeters, or about a month's worth, of rain within a 24-hour period, loosening hills already soaked by recent storms.

Forecasters warn that more rain is expected, saying there is a continued risk of flooding and landslides.

Landslides pose a major risk in crowded Japan, where many homes are built on or near steep slopes.日本官員說，廣島郊區發生山體滑坡，幾十所房屋被泥土掩埋，造成至少27人死亡，10人失蹤。

星期三的電視畫面顯示，當地居民和救援人員在房屋廢墟中尋找生還者。

日本首相安倍晉三派遣數百名軍人趕赴災區，協助救援工作。

一名本地居民說，他半夜醒來，發現房子已經進水，於是匆忙駕車離開住所。

該地區在24小時內降雨約24毫米，大約相當於一個月的降雨量，使得已經受到最近暴雨影響的山體發生鬆動。

氣象預報說，未來還會有降雨，該地區將面臨洪水和滑坡雙重危險。

在人口密集的日本，很多住宅建在很陡的山坡附近，因此山體滑坡是一個嚴重威脅。