Japanese aid worker back in quake-hit Van

VAN - Anatolia News Agency

Japanese aid worker Miyuki Konnai (L) was rescued from under a collapsed building five hours after a 5.6-magnitude earthquake struck Van on Nov 9, 2011. AA photo

Japanese rescue worker Miyuki Konnai, who herself had to be rescued from the rubble after the second major earthquake in the eastern province of Van on Nov. 9, 2011, has come back to Turkey to continue aid work.

Relief teams rescued Konnai from under a collapsed building five hours after a 5.6-magnitude earthquake struck Van on Nov. 9

“I now feel like I’m back at home. I got much better and now I am ready to help the aid efforts in Van again,” Konnai said, adding that she will stay in Van for two weeks to join Association for Aid and Relief (AAR).

Another rescue worker, Atsushi Miyazaki, was also found in the same wreckage 13 hours after the second tremor hit and was rushed to the hospital but could not be saved. Konnai and Miyazaki were in Van to join relief efforts after a 7.2-magnitude earthquake hit the city Oct. 23, 2011, killing more than 600 people.

“I also want to thank you for what you did for my friend Miyazaki. Joining the aid efforts here is not only my desire, but also Miyazaki’s,” Konnai said.