Massive Fire Destroys Over 170 Buildings in Coastal Japanese City: One Person Missing

Smoke rises from a site where a massive fire blazed through over 170 buildings, as seen from a helicopter

Tokyo:

A devastating fire has swept through more than 170 buildings in a southern Japanese coastal community, continuing to burn overnight and remaining partially active, according to Wednesday's report from the national fire agency.

Approximately 175 residents from the Saganoseki district of Oita city, located roughly 770 km (478 miles) southwest of Tokyo, evacuated to emergency shelters after the blaze erupted around 5:40 pm (0840 GMT) on Tuesday, the Fire and Disaster Management Agency confirmed.

Officials reported one person remains unaccounted for while authorities continue to investigate the fire's origin.

Aerial footage broadcast by local media revealed homes reduced to ashes and dense smoke billowing from the hillside community, which overlooks a fishing harbor known for its high-quality Seki-brand mackerel.

Local news sources indicated the flames had extended to nearby wooded hillsides.

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi announced on X that a military firefighting helicopter had been deployed at the request of the Oita prefecture governor to assist with containment efforts.