School Director Yoshiro Tobo is one of the few people left in a Remote Island in Japanwhere the earth is constantly shaking due to earthquakes. He chose to stay behind while his family is in a safer area.
The 52 -year -old said he was exhausted and afraid of sleeping, because the “endless” earthquakes continue to shudder It is not yet to overtakenas Tokara Islandswho suffered more than in the last three weeks.
His colleagues were among 49 people withdrawn, about 75% of the population, which were transported to the ferry continent, after the strongest earthquake on July 3, which overthrew furniture and made it difficult to move, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency.
However, Tobo told the CNN As it was left behind as the “porter” of the island’s only school, which now acts as a support center.
“It has repeatedly trembled for many days. I’m feeling very anxious and afraid, and it’s been hard to sleep,” he said. “At the worst moments, the earthquakes seem endless. I can feel when a big one is coming. Even while I’m sleeping, I feel that it approaches the distance.”
In an emergency operation on Sunday, Tobo opened the school courtyard for the other remaining residents of the island and five hired, offering an open space away from any building that could be overthrown by the tremors. So far, the school remains intact.
“I retired around midnight and went back to bed around 1:30 am, but I couldn’t sleep enough. Some of the earthquakes were very strong,” he added. But he said responsibility is part of the work.
“As a school administrator, I chose to stay on the island and support the effort coordinating with government authorities and local residents,” said Tobo, whose family lives on Kyushu Island on the continent.
In addition to Tobo, people who are still on the island include firefighters, farmers, energy companies, a doctor and a nurse.
More than 300 earthquakes in just 1 year
The approximately 700 inhabitants of the archipelago of 12 islands They seem well prepared for such procedures. A school site shows children sheltering under their wallets during an exercise in Akusekijima last month.
In addition to the strongest earthquake of July 3, the region suffered 128 magnitude three earthquakes, according to the intensity scale Shindoof seven levels from Japan, which are strong enough to wake people who are sleeping.
Also occurred at least 39 Tremors of Level Four. The region has gone through long periods of tremors before, with a significant event in 2023 that recorded 346 earthquakes.
Authorities said there is currently no risk of tsunami, but warned that the soil remains unstable, according to local media. Residents were warned about the possibility of collapse of buildings and landslides.
Why is this happening?
Earthquakes are common in Japan, which is responsible for about one fifth of magnitude 6 or larger tremors in the world.
The country is located in the call Circle of firewhich houses 75% of the world’s active volcanoes, where about 90% of all earthquakes occur. Extending for almost 40,000 kilometers, the region has a horseshoe shape and surrounds most of the Pacific Ocean.
This is where many tectonic plates meet and move against each other, causing friction that releases energy and creates the tremor that is released during an earthquake.
