Photo/Illutration A crane hoists a car belonging to the Mainichi Shimbun out of the ashes from the 1991 eruption of Mount Unzen’s Fugendake, seen in the background on the right side, in Shimabara, Nagasaki Prefecture, on Feb. 8. (Minako Yoshimoto)

SHIMABARA, Nagasaki Prefecture--Three cars buried here were unearthed on Feb. 8 for the first time in 30 years since the massive eruption of Mount Unzen’s Fugendake, which killed 43 people. 

A local landscape contractor dug two taxis and one vehicle out of the ashes from the eruption as volunteer residents watched over the grim work.

Masakazu Ishibashi, 65, president of Koarashi Taxi, lost a male driver in the eruption. He saw the taxi for the first time since the tragedy in 1991.

“I’ve finally been able to meet him,” said Ishibashi, stumbling over the words. “(He also) must have suffered a lot.”

The recovery area was near the site where the media gathered to take photos of the eruption. Residents will start work to preserve the area as ruins of the disaster and put the cars on public display in March.

On June 3, 1991, Fugendake blew its top, triggering a massive pyroclastic flow. Of the 43 victims, 16 members of the media and four taxi drivers died near the photo spot for reporters at the foot of the mountain.

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