Japanese volunteer arrives in Van to continue colleague's work

VAN - Anatolia News Agency

Onishi poses with a group of children in front of a sign that reads 'Dr Atsushi Miyazaki Square.' AA photo

Japanese volunteer Kyoto Onishi has arrived in the quake-hit Van province in eastern Turkey to complete the work of Dr. Atsushi Miyazaki who died in an earthquake on Nov. 9.

Onishi will join efforts to help survivors in Van after two earthquakes hit the city in October and 
November. 

"We have never thought of ending relief efforts," Onishi said, "a group of volunteers including Miyoki Konnai, who was pulled alive from the rubble [after November's earthquake], will return to Van in ten days to complete Dr. Miyazaki's mission." 

Relief teams had rescued Miyuki Konnai from under a collapsed building five hours after a 5.6-magnitude earthquake struck Van on Nov. 9. Dr. Atsushi Miyazaki was found in the same wreckage 13 hours after the temblor hit and was rushed to hospital but could not be saved. 

Konnai and Dr. Miyazaki was in Van to join relief efforts after a 7.2 earthquake hit the city on Oct. 23, killing more than 600 people.