Japan earthquake toll rises to 57, rescuers battle aftershocks, poor weather

The toll from a series of powerful earthquakes in Japan, including one registering a magnitude of 7.5, has climbed to 57, as reported by NHK World, citing officials from the severely affected Ishikawa prefecture. The majority of fatalities have been confirmed in Wajima and Suzu on the Noto Peninsula. With over 20 people seriously injured, authorities are working to ascertain the number of individuals still missing, fearing that many may be trapped beneath collapsed houses.

The earthquakes rattled the Noto Peninsula in the central Ishikawa prefecture on Monday, leading to building collapses and tsunami warnings issued as far away as eastern Russia. According to the country's meteorological office, a total of 155 earthquakes were reported throughout the day.

Rescuers faced aftershocks and adverse weather conditions on Tuesday while sifting through the rubble. The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) issued a warning of heavy rainfall in Noto, cautioning against landslides until Wednesday evening, as reported by AFP.

The relief mission suffered a tragic setback on Tuesday when an aircraft carrying emergency supplies caught fire following a runway collision at Haneda airport, resulting in the deaths of five coastguard crew members.

Prime Minister Fumio Kishida emphasized the urgent nature of the situation on Tuesday night, acknowledging the race against time to rescue individuals potentially trapped in collapsed buildings, according to NHK. Kishida's government is convening an emergency task force meeting on Wednesday morning to address relief and rescue operations.

In the coastal city of Suzu, Mayor Masuhiro Izumiya reported that there were "almost no houses standing," with approximately 90% of the town's houses completely or nearly destroyed. The situation, he described, is genuinely catastrophic, as conveyed by broadcaster TBS.

While Japan frequently experiences numerous earthquakes each year, the majority result in no damage. The nation remains haunted by the massive 9.0 magnitude undersea quake off northeastern Japan in 2011, triggering a tsunami that claimed around 18,500 lives or left people missing.

जापान में भूकंप से मरने वालों की संख्या बढ़कर 57 हो गई, बचावकर्मी भूकंप के बाद के झटकों और खराब मौसम से जूझ रहे हैं।