A massive search and rescue operation is underway in Wajima, Japan following a powerful New Year’s Day earthquake that has claimed the lives of at least 77 people. Rescuers are working tirelessly to find survivors, with a crucial three-day window ending on Thursday afternoon.
Mayor Masuhiro Izumiya of Suzu city emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating “There’s little time left until it’s 72 hours since the quake.” It is well-known among emergency responders that survival rates drop significantly after 72 hours.
The difficult terrain, along with severed roads, has presented significant challenges to the rescue efforts. The Noto peninsula has experienced nearly 600 aftershocks, raising concerns about the potential for landslides and additional damage to infrastructure.
Medical worker Shunsaku Kohriki expressed frustration at the slow arrival of assistance, particularly due to the poor road conditions in Wajima. He anticipates that evacuees will have to endure challenging living conditions for an extended period of time.
Four days after the devastating quake, the full extent of the damage and casualties remains unclear. Mayor Izumiya estimates that 90% of the houses in Suzu may have collapsed. The deaths have been concentrated near the epicenter of the magnitude 7.6 quake in Ishikawa prefecture.
Over 33,000 people have been forced to evacuate, and approximately 100,000 houses are currently without access to water. In addition, around 30,000 households are still without power in Ishikawa, according to Hokuriku Electric.
Furthermore, major mobile providers have reported inconsistent connectivity in certain areas, adding to the challenges faced by the affected communities.
As Japan’s businesses resume operations after the New Year holidays, several manufacturers are assessing the impact of the earthquake on their production lines. Display makers Japan Display and EIZO, as well as semiconductor firm Kokusai Electric, have confirmed that they are working to repair damaged factory facilities.
Similarly, chip material maker Shin-Etsu Chemical announced that its plant in Niigata has partially resumed operations, indicating the ongoing efforts to mitigate the impact of the disaster on various industries.
(Reporting by Kiyoshi Takenaka and Chris Gallagher in Wajima, Sakura Murakami and Kantaro Komiya in Tokyo; Editing by Lincoln Feast and Stephen Coates)
