An Analysis of the Victim Found in Debris of the Great East Japan Earthquake: A Case Study of Natori City and Kesennuma City, Miyagi Prefecture

During the Great East Japan Earthquake, debris obstructed rescue activities, causing delays in rescue operations. In Japan, a huge earthquake and tsunami are expected to occur, and the early detection of victims is essential to mitigate human casualties. This study focuses on the tsunami debris from the Great East Japan Earthquake. It aims to clarify the actual situation of victims found in the debris in Miyagi Prefecture at the municipality level and analyze and evaluate the relationship between the detection ratio in the debris, building damage, and tsunami forces. The results showed that the ratio of victims found in the debris was high in Natori City and Kesennuma City. The relationship between the ratio of finding debris and the ratio of total building destruction in Natori City and Kesennuma City suggests that the ratio of finding debris is affected by the percentage of remaining buildings and the percentage of wooden structures. Furthermore, the relationship between the ratio of finding debris and the inundation depth in Natori and Kesennuma cities was examined, and findings on the debris transport beyond the postal code area were obtained.