The seventh episode of the TBS Sunday Theatre drama "Diamonds Sleeping in the Sea" (Sunday 9:00 pm), starring actor Ryunosuke Kamiki, was broadcast on December 8th. The appeal to the islanders by the mine manager Tatsuo, played by Ikki Sawamura, became a hot topic on social media.
◇The following contains spoilers
A gas explosion caused a fire inside the mine. Workers tried to seal the mine to cut off oxygen from the source of the fire, but nearly 15 people were injured.
In a broadcast aimed at the islanders, Tatsuo reported, "A fire broke out inside the mine due to spontaneous combustion in the early hours of three days ago. Both miners and staff worked hard to put out the fire, but the flames have not been put out. The mine is also filled with gas. Therefore, we have determined that it is impossible to put out the fire."
As things continued as they were, an unexpected accident could occur, so they ordered all miners to evacuate from the mine. Once they had done so, they announced that the deeper areas where the fire was still burning would be submerged and abandoned.
"Hashima is a coal mining island. Coal was our property, our livelihood. However, our real property are all of you who live and work here. Even if we can no longer mine coal, even if Hashima is finished, nothing is worth more than life. We cannot allow any more serious accidents to occur. I pay my respects to your work over the past three days, and to all the people who work on this island. Thank you."
With tears in his eyes, Tatsuo made a powerful appeal, saying, "As long as you are all alive, the light of this island will never go out!"
Comments on social media included, "I cried at the mine foreman's broadcast," "The mine foreman's final words said it all and I felt relieved. I cried so much," "The sense of urgency in the middle part was so strong that I felt like I was watching a documentary. The mine foreman's feelings made me cry," and "It was so emotional to see the mine foreman, who was criticized so much, loving the "people" of Hashima more than anyone else that I burst into tears."
