Japan Earthquake: Death toll exceeds 200
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The total number of deaths to date due to the Japan earthquake has hit 202.
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Police officers remove debris from a fire at a market in Wajima, Ishikawa Prefecture, Japan, Saturday, Jan 6, 2024. (Kyodo News via AP)
The Kyodo news agency cited the Japanese local administration indicating that the number of people killed in a powerful earthquake and a series of aftershocks that hit Japan's Ishikawa Prefecture last week has exceeded 200 people.
Earlier reports indicated that 180 people were killed and 565 were injured. The largest number of victims was recorded in the cities of Suzu and Wajima — 91 and 81 people, respectively. The total number of deaths to date is 202 people.
A tragedy on New Year
Central Japan was hit on January 1 with tsunami waves exceeding one meter in height following a series of potent earthquakes that inflicted damage to residences, and closed highways, and prompted authorities to advise individuals to seek higher ground.
A powerful 7.5 magnitude earthquake occurred in the Noto region of Ishikawa prefecture around 4:10 pm (0710 GMT), as reported by the US Geological Survey (USGS). Japan's weather agency documented a sequence of 21 earthquakes with a magnitude of 4.0 or higher striking the central region within just over 90 minutes.
Tsunami waves reaching up to 1.2 meters (four feet) made landfall at Wajima port in Ishikawa prefecture at 4:21 pm (0721 GMT), approximately 10 minutes after the most intense seismic activity, as indicated by the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA).
A miracle amid the pain
A woman in her 90s, trapped under debris for five days following a significant earthquake in central Japan, was rescued against considerable odds.
She was transported to the hospital for medical attention and was responding coherently to inquiries, as reported by the public broadcaster NHK.
