Kobe (Japan) - A country that didn't cope well

• Although this earthquake occurred in a MEDC, it was not properly prepared so there were many deaths.
• Situated in Japan.
• The eruption happened on January 17th 1995.
• Kobe is a city housing 1.4 million people.
• Gas and electricity pipes were fractured - causing fires.
• Final death toll +4,500 and +25,000.
• Water, gas, and electricity were cut off in many homes.
• A loss of water meant it was difficult to put out fires.
• Most people lived in temporary shacks which were destroyed by fire easily.
• The Earthquake measured 6.9 on the Richter scale.
• The disaster relief plans were inadequate.
• Sanitation was another major problem because there was no running water.
• Some expansion joints on bridges failed and others were not large enough.