A massive landslide has struck in Hiroshima Prefecture in western Japan. 18 people have been killed, and 13 others remained unaccounted. Hiroshima was hit by torrential rain on Wednesday, with more than 100 millimetres of rain per hour recorded, triggering landslides and flooding in the area.
Streams of mud cut swathes through neighbourhoods, turning houses into piles of twisted wreckage. The Hiroshima prefectural government requested the dispatch of the Ground Self-Defense Force for rescue operations. The residents in the affected region had been advised to evacuate.
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe cut short his summer vacation to head back to Tokyo as authorities asked for help from the military for rescue efforts.