In April of last year, a 4-year-old boy fell into a gap between wave-blocking blocks on the coast of Nichinan City, Miyazaki Prefecture, and died after being buried in the sand. decided to remove it.
On April 29, 2015, a 4-year-old boy who was visiting the Ibi Coast in Nichinan City with his mother and others fell into a gap between wave-blocking blocks and was buried in the sand, dying.
An investigation by the prefecture found that the rain that had fallen just before the block created a strong flow of water near the waterway next to the block, which sucked out the sand beneath the block, creating a cavity.
The prefecture, which manages the coast, considered several options to prevent a recurrence, including changing the route of the waterway, and decided to remove the wave-damping blocks because it was easier to construct and safer than other methods.
Approximately 360 wave-dissipating blocks have been installed at the site to protect roads used for seawall construction from erosion, but in the future, roads with exposed sand and soil will be reinforced with concrete, and the coastal slopes will be strengthened. It also prevents erosion.
The prefecture plans to begin construction work for its removal this November.