The toll from the powerful earthquakes that shook Ishikawa prefecture in central Japan has risen to a staggering 92 deaths, with an additional 242 individuals reported as missing. Among the missing, the city of Wajima, hit hardest by the quakes, accounted for 40 individuals, according to Kyodo, a Japanese news agency.
Search and rescue efforts have intensified, involving approximately 4,600 Self-Defense Forces personnel working alongside the police and fire departments. Their primary focus is on confirming the safety of those missing, as concerns grow about escalating damages.
Tragically, a massive fire that erupted in the center of Wajima during the earthquakes destroyed an area of approximately 48,000 square meters, equivalent to 4.5 football fields, as estimated by the Geospatial Information Authority of Japan.
The affected areas are facing significant challenges in the delivery of essential supplies due to road closures caused by landslides, affecting more than 10 locations. Additionally, over 700 individuals remain stranded in isolated communities throughout the prefecture.
The region's infrastructure has suffered substantial setbacks, with around 30,000 households experiencing power outages and another 80,000 in 13 cities and towns grappling with disruptions in water supply.
Approximately 33,000 people have sought refuge in about 370 evacuation centers in Ishikawa. However, reports indicate emerging concerns related to sanitation, particularly regarding access to adequate toilet facilities.
The series of earthquakes, including a major one measuring 7.6 magnitude, struck at a shallow depth in the Noto region of Ishikawa. The Japan Meteorological Agency has officially named it the 2024 Noto Peninsula Earthquake, centered approximately 30 km east-northeast of Wajima. The tremors reached a maximum intensity of 7, making it extremely challenging for individuals to remain standing.
(With Agency Inputs)
ALSO READ | Japan Earthquake Toll Reaches 64 Amid Ongoing Aftershocks
ALSO READ | Japan Earthquake: Death Toll Reaches 30 Amid Ongoing Search for Survivors
