Death toll climbs to 213 in Japan earthquake
The death toll in the central Japanese prefecture of Ishikawa reached 213 on Thursday following a series of powerful earthquakes, some registering up to 7.6 magnitude, that rocked the prefecture and its surrounding areas.
As of 9 am local time, 52 individuals are still unaccounted for in the most severely affected prefecture, while a staggering 567 people have sustained injuries due to the intense seismic activity.
Breaking down the grim statistics, Suzu City reported 98 confirmed deaths, Wajima City recorded 83, Anamizu Town mourns 20 lives lost, Nanao City accounted for five casualties, Noto Town reported four, Shika Town confirmed two, and Hakui City reported one fatality.
Adding to the tragedy, the prefectural government acknowledged eight disaster-related deaths. These cases involve individuals who initially survived the quakes but succumbed to deteriorating injuries or illnesses caused by the physical and mental strain in the aftermath of the disaster.
The region now faces a challenging road to recovery as rescue and relief efforts intensify, grappling with the immediate aftermath of the earthquakes and addressing the needs of those affected by this devastating natural disaster. (ILKHA)