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The town that was washed away

Japan is fighting for survival today. Four days after a devastating quake brought about one of the deadliest tsunamis in history, Japan is yet to recover from shock.

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Amidst the devastation lie stories that remain untold. One such story is that of the 19000 residents of the town of Otsuchi. Today, there is no sign of hope, no structures standing in the north-eastern port town.

The town was, simply yet tragically put, washed away.

Click on NEXT to see PHOTOS of what remains of the town today...

The town that was washed away

A Japanese man pushes his bicycle through the remains of the devastated town of tsunami-hit Otsuchi

The town that was washed away

A destroyed landscape is pictured in Otsuchi village, Iwate Prefecture in northern Japan, after the earthquake and tsunami struck the area

The town that was washed away

Japanese rescue workers search through rubble in a residential area of tsunami-hit Otsuchi

The town that was washed away

A Japanese man covers his face as he walks through a destroyed residential area of tsunami-hit Otsuchi

The town that was washed away

Japanese rescue workers search through rubble in a residential area of tsunami-hit Otsuchi

The town that was washed away

A survivor pushes his bicycle through remains of devastated town of Otsuchi

The town that was washed away

A patient is evacuated from a destroyed hospital after a magnitude 8.9 earthquake and tsunami hit Otsuchi Town

The town that was washed away

A ferry is perched on top of a house in Otsuchi

The town that was washed away

Japanese rescue workers carry the body of a tsunami victim