Japan earthquake toll tops 160: Search teams battle rubble
Japan grapples with the aftermath of a powerful earthquake that struck its central region on January 1.
The magnitude 7.5 tremor, centred in Ishikawa prefecture, has claimed at least 161 lives, with over 100 people still reported missing as of Monday evening.
“The tremor caused extensive damage to buildings and infrastructure, triggering over a thousand landslides and unleashing a tsunami that ravaged coastal areas,” reported Agerpres.
The epicentre, located on the Noto Peninsula, bore the brunt of the devastation. Collapsed buildings, crumbling roads, and inundated villages paint a grim picture of the disaster's impact.
The earthquake left approximately 560 injured), confirmed a statement from the Ishikawa prefectural authorities.
Rescue efforts remain in full swing, with thousands of troops and emergency personnel deployed to locate survivors and provide critical aid. Prime Minister Fumio Kishida declared a state of emergency in the affected prefectures, mobilising additional resources and streamlining the response.
The 7.5-magnitude earthquake, triggering over a thousand landslides and followed by a tsunami, hammered the Noto Peninsula, a slender landmass jutting about 62 miles into the Sea of Japan, collapsing buildings and devastating roads, described Agerpres.
The disaster marks a grim reminder of Japan's vulnerability to seismic activity. Located on the so-called “Ring of Fire,” the archipelago has historically faced devastating earthquakes and tsunamis, including the 2011 Tohoku quake and tsunami that claimed nearly 20,000 lives.
With the death toll expected to rise and the extent of the damage still unfolding, Japan faces a long and arduous road to recovery. International support and assistance are pouring in, and the resilience of the Japanese people will undoubtedly be a force in rebuilding their lives and communities.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
