Kobe earthquake?

Question

Why did so many people die in the Kobe earthquake?

Answer 1

The magnitude of the earthquake, the population density of the epicenter, poor advanced warning devices, and fire from ruptured gas lines contributed to the 6,434 people who lost their lives.

Ruptured gas lines ignited wooden construction material, and broken water mains hampered firefighters' efforts to combat them. Most of the older traditional houses had heavy tiled roofs which weighed around 2 tons, intended to resist the frequent typhoons that plagued Kobe, but they were only held up by a light wood support frame. When the wood supports gave way, the roof crushed the unreinforced walls and floors in a "pancake" collapse.