Rising Death Toll in Japan Earthquake… Rescuers Race Against Time
The death toll from the powerful earthquake that struck the western coast of Japan in the first days of the new year has risen to 77, as the search continues for survivors under collapsed buildings while tens of thousands await assistance after being evacuated.
Authorities hope to rescue as many people as possible during a 3-day period following the earthquake, where the chances of survival are highest and concludes after Thursday afternoon.
Masahiro Izumia, the mayor of the severely affected city of Suzu, stated during a meeting on the national disaster response on Wednesday evening, ‘There is little time left before 72 hours pass since the earthquake. We really need to mobilize all our remaining strength to continue rescue efforts.’
Thousands of rescuers are racing against time to free those trapped under the rubble amid freezing temperatures and heavy rain. However, blocked roads and the remoteness of the most affected areas have complicated their efforts.
The Noto Peninsula has experienced nearly 600 aftershocks since the earthquake, raising concerns about landslides and further damage to infrastructure.
Paramedic Shunsaku Kohriki told Reuters in the city of Wajima, ‘Compared to other disasters, the condition of the road to Wajima is very bad. I feel that the arrival of aid is taking longer than usual.’
He added, ‘I think… those who have been evacuated will have to live in very difficult conditions for some time.’
100,000 Homes Without Water The full extent of the damages and human losses is still unclear four days after the earthquake, considered the worst in Japan since at least 2016. Izumia states that 90% of homes in Suzu city may have collapsed.
All reported deaths occurred near the earthquake’s epicenter, which measured 7.6 on the Richter scale in Ishikawa Prefecture. Officials say more than 33,000 people have been evacuated from their homes, and water has been cut off for about 100,000 homes.
Hokuriku Electric Company reported that around 30,000 homes are without electricity in Ishikawa.
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, in a press conference on Wednesday after the meeting on the national disaster response, stated that the government has opened a maritime route for aid delivery, and some larger trucks have managed to reach remote areas.
