World

Japan earthquake: ‘Race against time’ to save dozens still trapped under rubble

4 months ago
Japan earthquake: 'Race against time' to save dozens still trapped under rubble

Rescue teams in Japan face a “race against time” to find survivors after at least 73 people were killed following a 7.6-magnitude earthquake in the region.

Dozens of people are believed to still be trapped under collapsed buildings after Monday’s quake, which was followed by a 4.9 magnitude aftershock early on Wednesday.

According to Japanese authorities, 39 deaths were reported in Wajima city, 23 in Suzu, the other deaths were reported in five neighbouring towns.

More than 300 people have been injured, at least 25 of them seriously.

The precise number of those trapped remains unknown, with military personnel, firefighters and canine units urgently sifting through rubble ahead of predicted cold temperatures and heavy rain.

Image:
Pic: AP

In this photo provided by Japanese Ministry of Defense, Japanese Self Defense Force members carry an injured person into a helicopter, following strong earthquakes in Suzu, Ishikawa prefecture, Japan, Jan. 2, 2024. (Japanese Ministry of Defense via AP)
Image:
Japanese Self Defence Force members carry an injured person into a helicopter. Pic: AP

The first 72 hours after an earthquake are especially critical, according to experts, and the prospects for survival greatly diminish after three days.

“More than 40 hours have passed. This is a race against time, and I feel that we are at a critical moment,” Prime Minister Fumio Kishida told reporters on Wednesday.

This satellite image provided by Maxar Technologies shows a damaged neighborhood in Wajima, Japan, Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2024. A series of powerful earthquakes that hit western Japan have left at least 55 people dead and damaged thousands of buildings, vehicles and boats. Officials warned Tuesday that more quakes could lie ahead. (Maxar Technologies via AP)
Image:
Aerial shots show scale of damage from fire that broke out in Wajima after the quake. Pic: AP

This aerial photo shows an area hit by a fire following earthquakes in Wajima, Ishikawa prefecture, Japan Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2024. A series of powerful earthquakes that hit western Japan left multiple people dead and damaged thousands of buildings, vehicles and boats. Officials warned Tuesday that more quakes could lie ahead. (Kyodo News via AP)
Image:
Pic: AP

However, severed roads, damaged infrastructure, and the remote location of the peninsula is making it hard to reach some communities.

Read more on this story:
Japan earthquake as it happened
Videos show moments earthquakes hit Japan
Why is Japan at risk of earthquakes and tsunamis?

Heavy rainfall and cold temperatures forecast is leading to worries about landslides, which could further damage what is left of homes.

Japan earthquake map
Image:
Numerous aftershocks have hit the country since the 7.6 earthquake

Officials also warned it is possible that even bigger quakes could hit the region.

Desperate calls for aid

More than 33,000 people have evacuated their homes and some areas remain without access to water, electricity or mobile phone signal, according to officials for Ishikawa prefecture.

Evacuees rest at a temporary evacuation center in Suzu in the Noto peninsula facing the Sea of Japan, northwest of Tokyo, Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2024, following Monday's deadly earthquake. (AP Photo/Hiro Komae)
Image:
Evacuees rest at a temporary evacuation centre in Suzu. Pic: AP

Mayors of the hardest-hit cities – Suzu and Wajima – urged the government to clear roads and deliver aid swiftly.

“Even those who narrowly escaped death can’t survive without food and water,” Masuhiro Izumiya, the mayor of Suzu, a town of about 13,000 near the quake’s epicentre, said.

Firefighters and police search coastal area hit by earthquakes in Suzu, Ishikawa prefecture, Japan Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2024. Rescue workers and canine units urgently sifted through rubble Wednesday ahead of predicted freezing cold and heavy rain in what the prime minister called a race against time after powerful earthquakes in western Japan killed multiple people. Dozens are believed trapped under collapsed buildings.(Kyodo News via AP)
Image:
Pic: AP

White smoke is seen from a burnt building hit by earthquakes in Wajima, Ishikawa prefecture, Japan Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2024. A series of powerful earthquakes that hit western Japan left multiple people dead and damaged thousands of buildings, vehicles and boats. Officials warned Tuesday that more quakes could lie ahead. (Kyodo News via AP)
Image:
White smoke is seen from a burnt building in Wajima. Pic: AP

“We haven’t received a single loaf of bread.”

Shigeru Sakaguchi, the mayor of Wajima, said he was grateful for the government’s efforts but had received only 2,000 meals for some 10,000 evacuees so far.

Japan earthquake

Prime Minister Kishida said at a national disaster response meeting that the government opened a sea route to deliver aid to more remote areas.

The Chinese foreign ministry also said on Wednesday it was willing to provide any necessary help to the country.