# Kobe (Japan) - A country that didn't cope well

Source: https://projectgcse.co.uk/geography/natural_hazards/earthquakes_kobe_japan

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- Although this earthquake occurred in a MEDC, it was not properly prepared so there were many deaths.
- Situated in Japan.
- The eruption happened on January 17th 1995.
- Kobe is a city housing 1.4 million people.
- Gas and electricity pipes were fractured - causing fires.
- Final death toll +4,500 and +25,000.
- Water, gas, and electricity were cut off in many homes.
- A loss of water meant it was difficult to put out fires.
- Most people lived in temporary shacks which were destroyed by fire easily.
- The Earthquake measured 6.9 on the Richter scale.
- The disaster relief plans were inadequate.
- Sanitation was another major problem because there was no running water.
- Some expansion joints on bridges failed and others were not large enough.