Japan Earthquake: Hope for Survivors Fades as Rescuers Rush to Find Missing

Rescuers in Japan are in a race against time to find the 242 people who are missing following a devastating earthquake that struck on New Year’s Day. The critical 72-hour period to locate survivors ended late on Thursday, leaving little hope for those still unaccounted for. The death toll from the 7.6 magnitude earthquake in the remote Noto peninsula has risen to 92, with many believed to be trapped under their collapsed homes, particularly in the towns of Suzu and Wajima.

Japan’s Self-Defense Forces have doubled the number of troops involved in rescue and relief efforts to 4,600, according to Kyodo news agency. However, reaching the affected communities has proven to be the biggest challenge due to the difficult access caused by landslides and blocked roads. The wooden structures in these areas were not built to withstand powerful earthquakes, which are a frequent occurrence in Japan.

Tens of thousands of residents are still without power and water, and hundreds remain isolated due to landslides and blocked roads. The Japanese Prime Minister, Fumio Kishida, has vowed to continue the search and rescue operations, urging the workers to leave no stone unturned in reaching the affected communities.

The earthquake on Monday evening also triggered a small tsunami, flooding approximately 296 acres of land, as reported by Japan’s land ministry. The government has allocated 4.74 billion yen ($34 million; £27 million) from its budget reserves to assist the victims.

The Japan Ground Self Defense Force has been actively involved in the relief efforts, as depicted in photos posted by them. Troops can be seen loading trucks with food, drinking water, and toiletries, as well as clearing mud and debris from landslide-hit roads. In one photo, soldiers are shown carrying a survivor on a stretcher over a snow-covered trail.

Wajima, one of the towns heavily affected by the earthquake, has witnessed extensive destruction. Homes and vehicles have been crushed under crumbling concrete, and many of the town’s traditional wooden houses have collapsed. The population of Wajima, which stands at 23,000, now resembles a ghost town as most residents heeded early evacuation warnings when tsunamis were forecasted.

Also read := Snapdragon BGMI Pro Series Open Finals: Teams and Dates Revealed

The Japanese Red Cross Society has been actively involved in providing medical assistance to the affected communities. Musubi Yata from the society highlighted the biggest challenge faced by the rescue and relief workers – the difficult access to the most disastrous areas due to rocks on the roads and landslides caused by rain and aftershocks. The aftershocks have also forced the workers to temporarily halt some medical activities for safety reasons.

The resilience and determination of the Japanese people, along with the support from the Self-Defense Forces and various relief organizations, continue to drive the search and rescue efforts. The nation remains united in their commitment to assist the affected communities and provide relief to those in need.