Japan earthquake – latest: Aftershocks continue in quake zone as death toll rises to 62

International

3-01-2024, 08:29

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INA- sources

Aftershocks continued to jolt Japan on Wednesday as the death toll from a series of strong earthquakes rose to 62, according to the regional government.
Earlier, Japan’s prime minister Fumio Kishida said rescuers were in a “battle against time” as the toll continued to rise.

A magnitude of 7.6 jolted Japan on Monday afternoon damaging buildings and roads, which also prompted the country to issue tsunami warnings along the coast. The tsunami warnings were later lifted on early Tuesday morning.

More than 300 people are reportedly injured and 20 of them are in serious condition.

Rescue teams struggled in freezing temperatures on Tuesday to reach isolated areas where many people are feared trapped under toppled buildings.

“The search and rescue of those impacted by the quake is a battle against time,” the prime minister said during an emergency disaster meeting.
Nearly 31,800 people are in shelters at the moment as tens of thousands of homes have been destroyed.

source: The Independent