The toll from a series of powerful earthquakes in Japan, including a magnitude 7.5 quake, has risen to 62, according to NHK World, citing officials from the hard-hit Ishikawa prefecture. Most fatalities have been confirmed in Wajima and Suzu on the Noto Peninsula.
Over 20 people are reported to be seriously injured, with rescuers facing the challenge of confirming the number of people still missing. Many individuals are feared trapped under collapsed houses.
The earthquakes struck the Noto Peninsula in the central Ishikawa prefecture on Monday, causing buildings to collapse and triggering tsunami warnings as far away as eastern Russia.
According to the country’s meteorological office, a total of 155 earthquakes were reported on that day in Japan.
Rescuers are battling aftershocks and adverse weather conditions to search through rubble for survivors. The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) has warned of heavy rainfall in Noto, emphasizing the risk of landslides until Wednesday evening.
The rescue and relief mission faced a setback on Tuesday after an aircraft carrying emergency supplies caught fire following a runway collision at Haneda airport, resulting in the death of five coastguard crew members.
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating that “it’s a race against time” given the potential number of people trapped in collapsed buildings. The government will convene an emergency task force meeting on Wednesday to discuss relief and rescue operations.
Suzu, a coastal city, witnessed extensive destruction, with Mayor Masuhiro Izumiya stating that “almost no houses are standing.” About 90% of the houses in the town are reported to be completely or nearly completely destroyed, presenting a catastrophic situation.
Japan, prone to frequent earthquakes, experiences hundreds each year, with the majority causing no significant damage. The country continues to grapple with the haunting memory of the massive 9.0 magnitude undersea quake in 2011, triggering a tsunami that claimed around 18,500 lives.
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