4 dead, 18 missing as heavy rains hit southwestern Japan

18:08, 12 July 2012

TOKYO. July 12. KAZINFORM Four people were killed and at least 18 others went missing as heavy rains hit southwestern Japan, particularly the country's southernmost main island of Kyushu, on Thursday, police and firefighters said.

In the city of Aso, Kumamoto Prefecture in central Kyushu, an 80-year-old woman was washed away and pronounced dead at a hospital, firefighters said. Two other people were confirmed dead in the city.

In the city of Taketa, Oita Prefecture in eastern Kyushu, a 74-year-old man was found dead and a man in his 80s went missing, police said, Kyodo reports.