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  1. Tohoku Earthquake and Tsunami 2011-03-11

Otsuchi 2011-05-27

I visited Otsuchi on May 27th, 2011, almost three months after it had been struck by the tsunami.

A subcontractor's factory is there and I wanted to see how things are going after the earthquake. Seven employees had died in the tsunami.

Much of the town was destroyed and with a loss of more than 1500 persons that have died or are still missing.

Like many place else people in this town were in the fatal belief that the man made barricades and dams would be able to protect them. After the earthquake some left work at the factory that lies above the town and drove down to see after their families and homes. Few feared that a huge tsunami would follow. For some a decision with fatal consequence.
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  • This dam was simply overflown by the masses of water.

    This dam was simply overflown by the masses of water.

  • Now all quiet again the sea lies beyond the dam that was no match for the tsunami.

    Now all quiet again the sea lies beyond the dam that was no match for the tsunami.

  • One can get an idea of the height of the water by observing the forrest line.

    One can get an idea of the height of the water by observing the forrest line.

  • Huge structures thrown over and destroyed by the tsunami.

    Huge structures thrown over and destroyed by the tsunami.

  • The incredible force of the water masses can be imagined on these fragments of the dam along the sea shore. It proved no match to the masses of water and failed to protect the land and the people living behind it.

    The incredible force of the water masses can be imagined on these fragments of the dam along the sea shore. It proved no match to the masses of water and failed to protect the land and the people living behind it.

  • Total desolation.

    Total desolation.

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  • Only few tattered remains are left standing. A strong presence of the Army in the clean up operations.

    Only few tattered remains are left standing. A strong presence of the Army in the clean up operations.

  • The only people in town are soldiers cleaning up the rubble.

    The only people in town are soldiers cleaning up the rubble.

  • What used to be the railway station of Otsuchi. No trains wills coming here anytime soon.

    What used to be the railway station of Otsuchi. No trains wills coming here anytime soon.

  • View towards the devastated town center.

    View towards the devastated town center.

  • The red marks show when the buildings were searched. Over 800 people died or are still missing here.

    The red marks show when the buildings were searched. Over 800 people died or are still missing here.

  • Only few heavily damagest structues are standing.

    Only few heavily damagest structues are standing.

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  • From afar only the mountains of collected debris give an idea of the catastrophe that came upon this town.

    From afar only the mountains of collected debris give an idea of the catastrophe that came upon this town.

  • A view of a destroyed factory from the harbor.

    A view of a destroyed factory from the harbor.

  • The lighthouse on the small island has vanished just as a causeway across to it. This large floating platform with a crane is used for the salvage of debris. Even so it would have also been only a toy for the massive tsunami that destroyed this town.

    The lighthouse on the small island has vanished just as a causeway across to it. This large floating platform with a crane is used for the salvage of debris. Even so it would have also been only a toy for the massive tsunami that destroyed this town.

  • Buildings literally expoded on the impact of the water masses.

    Buildings literally expoded on the impact of the water masses.

  • The fishing harbour stripped of everything but the steel structure. stripped of everything but the steel structure.

    The fishing harbour stripped of everything but the steel structure. stripped of everything but the steel structure.

  • Smashed cars, broken concrete and and and incredible mess of small debris lay on roadside.

    Smashed cars, broken concrete and and and incredible mess of small debris lay on roadside.

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  • The clock son the city hall stopped after the desaster had struck.

    The clock son the city hall stopped after the desaster had struck.

  • One of the banks a solid building meant to protect what seemed important is utterly smashed up. The cash dispenser a pathetic reminder of what was a centerla point of a comunity before.

    One of the banks a solid building meant to protect what seemed important is utterly smashed up. The cash dispenser a pathetic reminder of what was a centerla point of a comunity before.

  • The red letter indicate the coclusion of the search of the building.

    The red letter indicate the coclusion of the search of the building.

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    One of the banks a solid building meant to protect what seemed important is utterly smashed up. The cash dispenser a pathetic reminder of what was a centerla point of a comunity before.
    The red letter indicate the coclusion of the search of the building.