61917    It was the second postwar historic disaster after the Fukui Earthquake in 1948 that killed over 3,700 people.

61918    We have to insist once again that we should first concentrate our efforts in the rescue and relief work as well as the speedy restoration of the lifelines at the disaster area.

61919    We must learn a great deal through all that work being accomplished.

61920    And such work cannot be delayed.

61921    It has been three days since the Great Hanshin Earthquake occurred, yet the total picture of the damage still remains unclear.

61922    The safety of the staggering number of missing persons has not been fully confirmed and the rescue work for those buried alive under the rubble has been underway.

61923    Additional fires have been starting and there have been constant aftershocks.

61924    The damage has been continuing and growing.

61925    Some people hung on for three days under the collapsed houses and were rescued.

61926    We must not despair.

61927    Yet, every second counts.

61928    The institutions concerned should leave no stones unturned in their efforts to rescue as many persons as possible.

61929    As of the evening of the 19th, nearly 300,000 people are continuing to live in evacuation centers in Hyogo Prefecture, and the depleting supplies of water, food and heaters are compounding their fatigue.

61930    The situation in progress here is what would have happened if a city of 300,000 had completely been wiped out.

61931    Along with saving lives, it is a task of utmost importance to extend relief to the victims' suffering from emotional and physical fatigue and to support them with food, clothing and shelter for the time being.