128 individuals have tragically lost their lives in Ishikawa, a central Japanese prefecture, following a series of earthquakes that rocked the area six days ago, reaching magnitudes of up to 7.6.
Reports indicate that 560 individuals in Ishikawa sustained injuries as a result of the seismic activity, with local authorities still searching for 195 residents who remain unaccounted for as of 2 p.m. local time (0500 GMT). Rescue operations persist in the areas affected by the quakes.
In a remarkable rescue effort, a woman in her 90s was extricated from the rubble of a collapsed house in Suzu City, Ishikawa prefecture, around 8:20 p.m. local time on Saturday. Despite being trapped for 124 hours following the powerful earthquake on Monday, the elderly woman has shown signs of recovery and is now able to engage in conversations, as confirmed by a doctor on Sunday.
Typically, rescue operations beyond 72 hours post-quake are rare, given the significantly reduced chances of survival. However, this instance of a successful rescue offers hope amid the challenging circumstances.
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida announced on Sunday that the government would categorize the earthquake as a specified emergency disaster, ensuring preferential treatment for affected individuals. Measures include extending the validity period of driver’s licenses and delaying bankruptcy proceedings.
Japan’s meteorological agency issued warnings of potential traffic disruptions due to anticipated heavy snowfall in the disaster-stricken areas. Ishikawa is expected to receive up to 60 centimetres of snow by Monday morning. To mitigate potential challenges in delivering relief supplies, the prefectural government plans to temporarily close major roads in case of substantial snow accumulation, according to Kyodo News.
Regrettably, the 2024 Noto Peninsula Earthquake marks the first instance of over 100 casualties in Japan since the 2016 Kumamoto earthquakes in the country’s southwestern region, which claimed 276 lives.
