Scenes of strength: Japanese cope with Kumamoto earthquake aftermath
By Cui Meng, Published: 2016-04-20 00:15:11
A mother feeds her child on April 19 at a shelter in the town of Mashiki, Kumamoto prefecture, near the epicenter of the earthquakes that hit Japan last week. Photo: Cui Meng/GT
Editor's Note:
People in the hardest-hit town of Mashiki continue to cope and support one another following the two deadly earthquakes that rocked Kumamoto prefecture in southern Japan last week. So far at least 44 people have been reported dead and more than 1,000 people injured after the two devastating earthquakes hit Japan’s southern island of Kyushu island, the BBC reported.

A security officer directs vehicles at an intersection in the town of Mashiki, near the quake’s epicenter, on April 19. Photo: Cui Meng/GT
A resident of Mashiki arranges items he managed to take from his home during the quakes on the top of his car. A screen bearing the image of Kumamon, a popular mascot for Kumamoto Prefecture, covers the car’s windshield. Photo: Cui Meng/GT
A girl receives cookies from a volunteer in Mashiki on April 19. The area, which suffered the most from the quake, is now struggling with a lack of water and food. Photo: Cui Meng/GT
A dog sits in a car filled with household items in Mashiki. Many residents have chosen to live out of their cars because of aftershocks in the area. Photo: Cui Meng/GT
An old man takes a moment to rest with his dog at a stadium in Mashiki on April 19. Many elderly residents have chosen to stay in the temporary shelter after the Kumamoto quakes. Photo: Cui Meng/GT
The earthquakes have caused cracks in the pavement in Mashiki. Photo: Cui Meng/GT
A resident cleans up debris around ruined buildings in the town of Mashiki on April 19. The quakes caused severe damage to many people’s homes. Photo: Cui Meng/GT
Rubble covers a car damaged by the earthquakes in Mashiki. Photo: Cui Meng/GT
An old man walks past a quake-damaged house in Mashiki on April 19. Photo: Cui Meng/GT
A resident of Mashiki rides past the ruins of buildings felled by the quakes. Photo: Cui Meng/GT
Two assessors of emergency risks to houses post a warning sign on the wall of a house in Mashiki on April 19. Photo: Cui Meng/GT