Rescuers have found 2 seniors in the mountains of Japan’s northeastern prefecture of Akita after they went missing 2 days ago. Both are in stable condition.
The fate of the 2 men had brought much concern. Several bear attacks were recently reported in the prefecture.
Mitsuo Mizusawa, 81, and Mitsuru Murakami, 75, went missing separately on Saturday. They reportedly left home to pick bamboo shoots, a local delicacy.
Rescuers focused their search in the area near Lake Tazawa where their cars were found parked. This was about 50 kilometers from their homes.
They first found Mizusawa on Monday morning. He had no major injuries and was able to walk on his own.
Murakami was found in the afternoon. Police said he looked exhausted, but could talk.
Four people have recently been killed in the prefecture’s northern mountains in suspected bear attacks. The victims were all searching for edible wild plants.
A bear was sighted in the Lake Tazawa area where the 2 were found.
Source and image: NHK
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