[국제]Record heavy snowfall in central and northern Japan…8 deaths, 260 injuries, etc.

[앵커]

In Japan, a record heavy snowfall has resulted in casualties.

Hundreds of people were killed or injured as snow piled up over two meters in the central and northern regions.

Tokyo correspondent Lee Gyeong-ah reports.

[기자]

It was only in the past seven days that heavy snow began in the central and northern regions of Japan.

Beautiful trees fell in the snow that continued throughout the weekend,

Some of the towns outside the city center were isolated or cut off electricity.

At one time, more than 1,500 vehicles were trapped on the highway.

[차량 운전자 : 지금 차에 기름도 떨어지고…빨리 집에 돌아가고 싶어요.]

[차량 운전자 : 결혼식에 가야 하는데 도로에 갇혀버려서 지금 화상 전화로 보고 있습니다.]

In some areas of Niigata Prefecture, over 2.2 meters of snow has accumulated, which is 6 times that of the previous year.

Toyama and Fukui prefectures also saw more than 1 meter of snowfall.

Compared to the previous year, it snowed 2-3 times more depending on the region.

There were also several casualties due to record heavy snowfall.

Among the dead, there were not a few cases where they went out to clear the snow and were buried and died without avoiding the accumulated snow.

[가토 가츠노부 / 일본 관방장관 : 제설작업을 할 때는 혼자 하지 마시고 가족이나 인근 주민에게 얘기해서 함께 충분히 주의해 대응해 주시기를 바랍니다.]

The Japan Meteorological Agency called for special attention, saying that snow is expected to accumulate in eastern regions such as Tokyo as the cyclone moves.

This is Kyungah Lee from YTN in Tokyo.

[저작권자(c) YTN & YTN plus 무단전재 및 재배포 금지]