Rescue efforts in Japan are in full swing as authorities strive to locate 242 individuals missing in the aftermath of a devastating New Year’s Day earthquake. The critical 72-hour window to find survivors, following the 7.6 magnitude quake that struck the remote Noto peninsula, concluded late on Thursday. The death toll has now risen to 92, with many feared trapped under collapsed homes, particularly in the towns of Suzu and Wajima.
Japan’s Self-Defense Forces have intensified rescue and relief operations, doubling the number of troops involved to 4,600, according to the Kyodo news agency. The majority of those affected are in wooden structures not designed to withstand such powerful earthquakes, a frequent occurrence in the country.
Tens of thousands of residents remain without power and water, while hundreds are isolated due to landslides and blocked roads. Despite the challenges, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida expressed determination, stating, “We will not give up,” after a meeting with disaster response officials on Friday. He urged rescue and relief workers to spare no effort in reaching the affected communities.
The earthquake triggered a small tsunami, flooding approximately 296 acres (120 ha) of land, as reported by Japan’s land ministry. The government has allocated 4.74 billion yen ($34 million; £27 million) in budget reserves to aid the victims.
Photos released by the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force depict troops loading essential supplies onto trucks and clearing debris from landslide-hit roads. In a poignant image, troops were seen carrying a survivor on a stretcher over a snow-covered trail.
The BBC’s visit to Wajima revealed extensive destruction, with homes and vehicles crushed under crumbling concrete. The town, now resembling a ghost town with a population of 23,000, largely heeded early evacuation warnings when tsunamis were forecasted. Source – BBC
