The death toll in Japan’s New Year’s Day earthquake has risen to 161, with 103 people reported missing, according to authorities.
The 7.5-magnitude quake in the central Ishikawa region triggered building collapses, fires, and tsunami waves over a meter high.
Rescue efforts are complicated by snowfall, damaged roads, and over 1,000 landslides. Despite challenging conditions, a woman in her 90s was rescued after spending five days under rubble.
Tragically, not everyone has been as fortunate, with a man in Anamizu mourning the loss of family members. Severe weather threatens over 28,800 people in shelters, and relief efforts face hindrances due to landslides and road damage.
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida prioritizes rescues and aid delivery, deploying military troops and helicopters.
The disaster highlights the vulnerability of aging infrastructure, especially in rural areas like Noto, recalling the 2011 quake and tsunami that left 18,500 dead or missing and caused a nuclear disaster at Fukushima.
Source: PhilNews24 | January 8, 2023
