A devastating fire has struck Oita Prefecture in southwestern Japan, reportedly destroying more than 170 buildings in what is being called the largest blaze in Japan’s history.
The fire broke out in the Saganoseki area of Oita Prefecture and quickly spread due to strong winds, affecting a densely populated neighborhood near a fishing port. More than 170 buildings have been reduced to rubble as firefighters battle the flames. The incident was first reported on Tuesday evening around 5:45 p.m., when a local resident called emergency services.
Authorities evacuated over 170 people from the fire zone, but a 70-year-old individual remains missing. The challenging mountainous terrain, combined with rapid wind gusts, accelerated the spread and complicated firefighting efforts.
Firefighters are still working to completely extinguish the blaze, while local officials have issued warnings about strong winds in the region that could hamper rescue and containment operations. The community remains on alert after this unprecedented disaster.