At least 97 evacuees in earthquake-hit Kumamoto Prefecture have been assessed as possibly suffering from so-called economy-class syndrome, according to a tally by Kyodo News.
The number is much higher than the official figure of 37 comprising those hospitalized due to deep vein thrombosis, the medical term for economy-class syndrome, announced by the Kumamoto Prefectural Government. Some of the 37 people are included among the 97 in the Kyodo survey released Monday.
Dirty toilets, a lack of running water, cramped conditions and the fear of being trapped in a collapsing building are among the reasons why people made homeless by the fatal series of earthquakes are choosing to sleep in cars rather than in evacuation shelters.