Death toll rises to 62 in latest count released by authorities – Fires continued to rage this morning in small historic town of Oujima – Search underway for survivors under rubble
Rescuers continue to search for survivors under the rubble of damaged buildings in Japan after a powerful 7.6-magnitude earthquake struck the country on New Year’s Day as the Japan Meteorological Agency lifted all warnings. for a tsunami along parts of the west coast of the country.
According to the latest count, the dead rose to 62 according to the latest count released by the authorities.
An official in Ishikawa prefecture, who spoke to AFP but did not want to be named, reported “62 dead” and more than 300 injured, about 20 of them in serious condition.
Officials flew over the southern peninsula, known for its coastal and rural landscapes, and reported damaged roads, landslides and large fires.
The area before the earthquake
The area after the earthquake
The central city of Wajima, home to more than 27,000 people, appeared to have suffered the most damage. City officials told CNN that 15 people were confirmed dead there. The city was hit by tsunami waves of about 1.2 meters (3.9 feet), according to NHK.
Fires were still raging this morning in Uajima, a small, historic town famous for its lacquered wood handicrafts and artefacts.
The fire department is unable to cope, an official said. It is dealing with “many” fires, and calls for help and reports of damage keep increasing, he added.
Meanwhile, 45,700 households in Ishikawa remained without power on Tuesday, according to electricity company Hokuriku Electric Power.
After the earthquake, Japan’s Kansai Electric and Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi said there were no reports of anomalies at nuclear plants near the affected areas.
Four trains, whose high-speed trips were halted when the quake struck, trapping nearly 1,400 passengers inside for about 11 hours, resumed service on Tuesday morning, according to NHK.
According to Japan News Agency the magnitude of the earthquake is estimated to have moved the land on the South Peninsula 1.3m to the west.
Source :Skai
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