At least 6 dead, 22 missing in Hiroshima landslide

At least six people were confirmed dead and 22 were missing after rain-sodden hills in the outskirts of Hiroshima gave way early Wednesday in several landslides, The Associated Press reported. 

Video footage from the national broadcaster NHK showed suburban homes in the western Japanese city surrounded by streams of mud and debris, and residents picking their way over piles of rocks and dirt.

Rescue workers suspended by ropes from police helicopters were pulling victims from the rubble as they searched homes stranded amid piles of lumber from crushed houses.

The Fire and Disaster Management Agency, citing the local government, said six people were confirmed dead and another 22 were missing as of late morning. It said at least 20 people were injured, one seriously.

NHK, citing local police, put the death toll at 18.

"A few people were washed away and it is hard to know exactly how many are unaccounted for," said local government official Nakatoshi Okamoto, noting that the conditions in the disaster area were hindering efforts to account for all those affected.

Authorities issued warnings that further rains could trigger more landslides and flooding.