A 90-year-old woman was rescued from a collapsed house in western Japan, 124 hours after a massive earthquake struck the area. The earthquake caused the death of 126 people, destroyed buildings, and triggered landslides.
The female resident of Suzu, located in Ishikawa Prefecture, managed to survive for over five days following the 7.6 magnitude earthquake that occurred on Monday. Video footage aired on national television depicted rescue workers wearing helmets and using blue plastic to block the view of the area, making the woman unable to be seen.
The likelihood of survival decreases after the initial 72 hours. In the recent days, there have been numerous remarkable rescues as members of the military, firefighters, and other individuals have come together to aid in the extensive recovery effort.
A five-year-old boy who was previously injured by boiling water during the earthquake passed away on Friday, adding to the total of 126 fatalities. The Ishikawa prefecture, which was heavily impacted by the disaster, reported that his condition unexpectedly deteriorated.
Authorities cautioned that additional tremors could result in further damage to residences and impede vital transportation routes necessary for relief efforts. They expressed concern that already compromised roads could potentially give way entirely. This danger was escalating due to the forecast of precipitation, including rain and snow, in the coming hours and on Sunday.
Wajima city has documented the greatest fatality count at 69, followed by Suzu with 38. Over 500 individuals sustained injuries, with at least 27 of them being severe.
The earthquake caused roofs to scatter carelessly onto the roads, crushing everything underneath them. The roads themselves were bent out of shape like rubber. In addition, a fire destroyed an entire neighborhood in Wajima.
Over 200 individuals are currently missing, although the count has changed. Eleven individuals were said to be stuck under two collapsed houses in Anamizu.
At the age of 76, Shiro Kokuda’s childhood home in Wajima was left untouched, but a temple nearby was destroyed by fire. He is currently searching for friends at evacuation centers. “It has been a difficult experience,” he expressed.
Japan has one of the fastest-ageing societies in the world. The population in Ishikawa and nearby areas has dwindled over the past few years. A fragile economy based on crafts and tourism is now more fragile than ever.
According to the Korean central news agency, North Korea made an uncommon move by sending a message of sympathy to Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida from their leader, Kim Jong-un, on Saturday.
Earlier, Japan received messages of sympathy and promises of assistance from US President Joe Biden and other allies.
A representative from the government, Yoshimasa Hayashi, informed the press that Japan was appreciative of the various messages they received, including one from North Korea. Hayashi noted that the last time North Korea sent a message of condolences for a disaster in Japan was in 1995.
According to the widely distributed Yomiuri newspaper, their aerial examination revealed over 100 landslides, with some obstructing important roads. Certain areas are still cut off and in need of assistance.
Seizo Shinbo, a seafood trader, expressed his hope for the city to recover and for its people to remain and work diligently towards recovery. He was seen purchasing noodles, canned goods, and rice balls at a local supermarket.
“There is a scarcity of food and water, and the situation is worsened by a shortage of gas. People are enduring lines that stretch for kilometers.”
Source: theguardian.com
