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13 tales of survival from around the world

These survivors experienced extraordinary circumstances; hurricanes, tornadoes, and avalanches, and lived to tell the tale.

Narrow escapes after the 2011 Japanese earthquake

Defense Ministry/AP
Hiromitsu Shinkawa, wrapped in a blanket, is lifted to a Maritime Self-Defense Force destroyer following his rescue on Sunday, March 13.

On March 11, 2011, a magnitude-9.0 earthquake hit Japan, killing more than 15,000 people, triggering a tsunami, and causing widespread damage – including the nuclear meltdowns at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant.

Some 30,000 people were rescued from the wreckage; two remarkable tales of survival and hope stand out. 

Hiromitsu Shinkawa was rescued 10 miles out to sea two days after the earthquake, sitting on the roof of his house. According to the Kyodo news agency, after the earthquake he and his wife returned to their home in the city of Minamisoma to gather some belongings when the tsunami hit. He survived by holding onto the roof of their home, but his wife was swept out to sea.

In the coastal city of Ishinomaki in Miyagi Prefecture, 16-year-old Jin Abe, and his 80-year-old grandmother, Sumi Abe, survived being buried under the rubble of their two-story wooden home for almost 10 days. They were on the top floor of the house when the earthquake struck.

Though unable to stand or walk around, Jin was able to reach blankets, food, and drink. He and his grandmother huddled together to keep warm. Finally, he managed to dig out a bit from the rubble, and called out to rescue teams.

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Mark Sappenfield
Editor

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