A TEACHER living in Japan has told of the moment he thought he was going to die in the country's deadly earthquake.

Former Gravesend resident Michael Wenban, 37, was teaching English in Kemigawa, 50 miles south of Tokyo, when the 8.9 magnitude earthquake struck on March 11.

Tens of thousands are believed to have died as a result of the quake and the 33ft tsunami which followed.

Mr Wenban, who has lived in the country for 10 years, told News Shopper via Skype that he ran from the fourth floor of his office building to get to safety.

The father-of-two, who used to live with his parents in Whitehill Road, said: “The building started to shake, so I ran down the stairs as we couldn’t use the elevator.

“Some people decided to stay inside but lots ran out.

“The earthquake started to build and build.

“I was scared for my life. I thought we were going to die.”

Once outside Mr Wenban said people were panicking and crying in the street.

He added: “The earthquake was all around us - it’s not like a burning building where once you get outside you’re safe.

“You have to be aware there are a lot of buildings that could fall on you.

“All the cars had stopped outside and there were people crouching in the road.

“Everyone was looking up at the buildings.”

Following the earthquake, he went back inside where plaster had fallen off the ceiling and textbooks were scattered over the floor.

Then another earthquake struck.

He said: “A second earthquake came as powerful as the first one.

“After that, I didn’t think it was a good idea to be inside the building.

“I wanted to get home to my family.”

The former Gravesend Grammar student cycled to pick up emergency supplies for his wife and sons.

He arrived home to a "trashed" apartment with broken glass on the kitchen floor.

But his wife Kyoko, three-year-old son Ronnie and baby Charlie were all safe.

Speaking three days after the quake, Mr Wenban said he is worried more devastation could hit the country.

He added: “We’re watching the news constantly to see what’s happening.

“It doesn’t feel like it’s over yet - people are still nervous about another earthquake.

“They send us chain emails warning us not to go outside.

“We live near where the oil refinery exploded, so if it rains, people say we could get contaminated with toxic waste.”

Parents' worry

Gravesham’s deputy mayor Mick Wenban told News Shopper he and his wife, Pam, were worried for their son's safety.

The 65-year-old retired tugboat master said: “I was up early in the morning and heard about the earthquake on Radio 4.

“I managed to speak to Kyoko on Skype but she couldn’t reach Michael on his mobile.

“When it evolved how serious it was we all became very concerned.”

Mick described his son as “very optimistic and down to earth”, and praised him for the way he was coping in Japan.

His wife, Pam, will visit the family at Easter to celebrate baby Charlie’s first birthday.