kobe earthquake

    The effects of the Kobe earthquake were of awful devastation. 5,000 people died in the earthquake and 350,000 were made homeless. This was an effect of the earthquake. But also gas pipes exploded and fires burnt all over the city, this was a secondary cause of death caused by the earthquake. Other secondary causes of death were underground water pipes burst all over the city. Large areas of Kobe were blacked because electricity lines were cut. With the smoke from the fires the search for survivors was difficult. Several hospitals in the old part of Kobe were destroyed in the earthquake. When the ground moved some of the buildings did not follow and collapsed Ambulances and fire engines were unable to reach damaged areas because collapsed buildings were blocking the roads. These were so devastating because many people may have prepared for and survived the earthquake but not expected as much devastation around the city e.g.: the fires and not as much chance of getting seen to in a hospital because of the whole city needing help. These secondary causes of death went on for a long time and wrecked people’s lives. Fires are not avoidable and many suffered and died from the smoke or being trapped in a blazing building.