The number of fatalities caused by a significant earthquake in western Japan rose to 100 on Saturday as rescue teams braved aftershocks to cautiously extract individuals from debris.
Earlier in the day, the number of deaths had reached 98. However, two additional deaths were reported in Anamizu. Meanwhile, officials in Ishikawa prefecture, the region most heavily affected by the disaster, held a daily meeting to discuss their strategy and assess damages.
Several individuals who had managed to survive for multiple days were rescued from collapsed buildings. A man was extracted 72 hours after a succession of strong earthquakes struck the western coast of Japan.
The number of individuals who are currently missing has decreased to 211 as of Saturday, following a significant increase two days prior.
Officials in Ishikawa reported that 59 deaths occurred in Wajima, with an additional 23 in Suzu. The remaining fatalities were recorded in five nearby towns. Over 500 individuals have sustained injuries, with at least 27 being classified as severe.
The University of Tokyo’s Earthquake Research Institute discovered that certain areas of the western coast of Japan experienced a shift of up to 250 meters (820 feet) towards the sea.
The town of Wajima was hit by earthquakes which caused a massive fire, as well as tsunamis and landslides in the surrounding area. The destruction has blocked some routes, causing concern for communities without access to essential supplies such as water, food, blankets, and medicine.
On Friday, the United States declared a contribution of $100,000 in assistance, which includes blankets, water, and medical supplies. They also assured that further aid will be provided. Professional baseball player Shohei Ohtani, from the Dodgers team, also pledged aid for the Noto region, but the exact amount was not disclosed.
Thousands of Japanese troops have joined the effort to reach the hardest-hit spots on the Noto Peninsula, the centre of the quake, connected by a narrow land strip to the rest of the main island of Honshu.
Specialists cautioned about the potential for illness and even fatalities at the shelters where approximately 34,000 individuals, especially older ones, have been displaced from their residences.
Masashi Tomari, a 67-year-old oyster farmer residing in Anamizu city in Ishikawa, described the challenge of sleeping on the cold floor with only one blanket. He also mentioned that they did not have any heating until two stoves were finally delivered on Thursday.
He remarked, “This is an awful, frigid location.”
Tomari was overwhelmed when he thought about his house, where shattered windows and toppled objects cluttered the ground. Due to a lack of electricity, the area was completely dark at night.
However, Tomari and the rest of the group were already considering the process of reconstruction. Sachiko Kato, the proprietor of a clothing store in Anamizu, displayed a yellow sign inside her shop as a cautionary measure, as the walls had become slanted. She also placed a red sign for the shed in the back that had been completely flattened.
“There used to be numerous stores on this street, but now they have all disappeared,” she mentioned. “Perhaps we can put in effort to reconstruct them.”
As of Friday, the water supply in Anamizu was still not fully functioning. Kato had to obtain water from a nearby river in order to flush the toilet.
In the past week, numerous aftershocks have been felt in Ishikawa and the surrounding area. Due to its many intersecting fault lines, Japan is highly susceptible to earthquakes. The weather forecast predicts rain and snow for the upcoming weekend, and experts have cautioned that there may be additional aftershocks.
The area impacted by the recent earthquakes is well-known for its traditional handiwork, such as lacquerware, blades, pottery, candles, and kimono textiles.
Tsutomu Ishikawa, the manager of a resin company named Aras that produces stylish dishes and cups, reported that there were no fatalities in his vicinity. However, the workshop suffered significant damage.
He expressed regret for the late delivery and showed a strong determination to recover and reconstruct, while recognizing the difficulties. “We are experiencing a profound sense of powerlessness as the work we put so much love into has been lost.”
Sachiko Takagi, proprietor of a kimono boutique situated on a charming street filled with quaint shops in Wajima, expressed gratitude that her family’s 80-year-old establishment was spared from destruction. Unfortunately, many others were not as fortunate.
She expressed that these individuals lack the motivation to initiate something new. She pondered about the future of this street.
Source: theguardian.com
