Japanese Medical Staff Shield Patient With Their Bodies in Shaking Operating Room During Major Earthquake

Kumamoto Hit by Major Earthquake on July 28
Four Surgeries Safely Completed Despite the Tremors

It has been belatedly revealed that, during the 7.1-magnitude earthquake that struck near Kumamoto Prefecture in Kyushu, Japan on July 28 (local time), medical staff at the operating room of a general hospital threw themselves over a patient to protect them.

Interior view of the operating room at Kumamoto General Hospital during the earthquake. Photo by NHK

Japan's NHK broadcast released footage on the 6th showing the interior of the operating room at Kumamoto General Hospital during the earthquake. The video captures medical equipment inside the operating room shaking violently due to the tremors, and at that moment, the medical staff wrapped their bodies around the patient on the operating table to protect them. One nurse opened a door to secure an evacuation route as well.

According to NHK, four surgeries were being performed at the hospital during the earthquake. Fortunately, all four surgeries were completed safely. Due to the strong quake, the hospital's water supply was interrupted, causing some medical devices to stop functioning. As a result, the hospital halted regular outpatient services. However, after confirming that the quality of well water secured for emergency situations was safe, the hospital resumed normal medical services on August 5.

Viewers who watched the video praised the medical staff for their dedicated response. Among online comments, many said, "Watching the medical staff's efforts was deeply moving," "This shows the importance of emergency training," and "It is admirable that they prioritized patients even amidst severe shaking," among other reactions.

Shinya Shimada, Director of Kumamoto General Hospital, told the media, "By resuming medical services, we hope to reassure local residents," and added, "I want to fulfill the hospital's mission to the fullest."

Meanwhile, as a result of the Kumamoto earthquake, around 40 people have died locally, and difficult rescue and recovery operations have continued at the disaster sites. In particular, significant casualties were reported when a large shopping mall, Aeon Mall, collapsed.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.