The death toll from the 7.6 magnitude earthquake that struck the center of Ishikawa Prefecture in Japan earlier this week has risen to 126, with more than 200 people still unaccounted for.
At least 10 people, including an 8-year-old child, are thought to be trapped in the town of Anamizu, where several houses collapsed due to landslides.
Some roads are closed, making it difficult to reach survivors. The Japan Self-Defense Forces are using helicopters to conduct rescue operations and deliver supplies to isolated areas. But survivors say supplies such as gasoline and kerosene are in short supply.
About 30,000 people are currently sheltering in evacuation centers in the region. Local government officials say about 66,000 households are without water.
A person shopping at a supermarket offering some food and other products for 100 yen
A person shopping at a supermarket offering some food and other products for 100 yenHiro Komae/Copyright 2024 The AP. All rights reserved
The situation in facilities for the elderly is also reportedly still difficult. A nursing home with 100 residents is reported to have suffered severe damage to its second floor, which is now unusable, residents are forced to live in a limited space and some mandatory measures are being taken, such as using stored rainwater to flush toilets.
Rain is expected in the Hokuriku region and Niigata Prefecture until Sunday. As the ground is loosened, even a small amount of rain could trigger further landslides.
Severe seismic activity continues on the Noto Peninsula and surrounding areas. A strong earthquake with a magnitude of 5.4 struck Isikawa Prefecture on Saturday morning. Authorities are urging residents to be vigilant for larger earthquakes, which could be as large as the first magnitude 7.6 quake.
