Current:Home > reviewsJapan earthquake recovery hampered by weather, aftershocks as number of people listed as missing soars -ProfitClass
Japan earthquake recovery hampered by weather, aftershocks as number of people listed as missing soars
View
Date:2025-04-16 11:04:25
Wajima, Japan — Thousands of people made homeless in an instant by the powerful earthquake in western Japan were still living in weariness and uncertainty Monday a week after the temblor struck and killed at least 168 people. The number of people listed as missing amid the destruction in the quake zone jumped, meanwhile, to more than 323.
That figure roughly tripled over the course of Monday alone, as rescuers pored over a list of the region's population and compared it to lists of those accounted for after the disaster.
The rescue effort since the magnitude 7.6 New Year's Day quake has drawn thousands of troops, firefighters and police, who continued picking through collapsed buildings Monday hoping to find survivors.
Snowfall hampers rescue work amid aftershocks
Authorities warned of the danger of landslides, exacerbated by a heavy snowfall, across the area where the quake was centered on the Noto Peninsula in Ishikawa prefecture. The landscape blanketed in fluffy white revealed burned and crumbled houses, ashen blocks of a city, highways with gaping holes and cracks.
The 168 confirmed deaths included 70 people in Wajima, 70 in Suzu, 18 in Anamizu and the rest were spread among four other towns. Another 565 people were injured, and 1,390 homes were destroyed or seriously damaged.
A tsunami of around 10 feet followed the initial major quake, adding to the damage.
Aftershocks have continued daily, and Japanese meteorological officials have warned that strong quakes could persist for another month. Their frequency, while gradually diminishing, remained high compared to past quakes, totaling more than 1,000.
"I don't know how Wajima can survive"
For residents, recovery work has barely started. Shuji Yoshiura, a fisherman, said his boats were damaged and he could not go out on the sea.
Before the quake, Wajima was a tourist town with a shopping street offering seafood and traditional crafts. Much of it was destroyed in the fires that broke out after the Jan. 1 disaster.
Kentaro Mitsumori, who runs a corner grocery shop, slept in his car with his wife to guard against looting. Their store still stands but has no lock, electricity or running water. Everything sold out in three days. But he plans to close his business.
"Even if I manage to fix up the place, there just aren't going to be enough customers. I don't know how Wajima can survive," he said.
Nearly 30,000 people staying in schools, auditoriums and other evacuation centers worried about infections as cases of COVID-19 and other illnesses popped up.
In the shelters, people were still sleeping on cold floors. After initial help of a piece of bread and a cup of water for each person a day, more aid is allowing some facilities to begin serving hot food cooked in huge pots.
People were delighted by the temporary bathing facilities set up by soldiers, sitting in the hot water they had missed for days.
Still, exhaustion and stress are wearing them down. Many are in mourning. The main quake struck on New Year's Day, a time for families to gather in Japan. Some survivors said they were all alone because they lost their loved ones.
Mizue Kaba, 79, was lucky she survived, as did her daughter, son-in-law and grandson, who were visiting on New Year's from Osaka in central Japan.
Kaba is sleeping at a school, and no one is sure what might happen when schools open in a week after the New Year's break.
Three stoves were not enough to heat the school's big hall, and more heaters arrived.
"It's so cold," Kaba said.
- In:
- Rescue
- Death
- Asia
- Disaster
- Earthquake
veryGood! (7)
Related
- Big Lots store closures could exceed 300 nationwide, discount chain reveals in filing
- Georgia bill aims to protect religious liberty. Opponents say it’s a license to discriminate
- Ahead of South Carolina primary, Trump says he strongly supports IVF after Alabama court ruling
- Bengals to use franchise tag on wide receiver Tee Higgins
- John Galliano out at Maison Margiela, capping year of fashion designer musical chairs
- Charlie Woods, Tiger's son, faces unrealistic expectations to succeed at golf
- Influencer Ashleigh Jade recreates Taylor Swift outfit: 'She helped me find my spark again'
- Louisiana advances a bill expanding death penalty methods in an effort to resume executions
- USA men's volleyball mourns chance at gold after losing 5-set thriller, will go for bronze
- At 99, this amazing Holocaust survivor and musician is still beating the drum for peace
Ranking
- Jamaica's Kishane Thompson more motivated after thrilling 100m finish against Noah Lyles
- Killing of nursing student out for a run underscores fears of solo female athletes
- Avast sold privacy software, then sold users' web browsing data, FTC alleges
- Shop Madewell's Best-Sellers For Less With Up To 70% Off Fan-Favorite Finds
- Brianna LaPaglia Reveals The Meaning Behind Her "Chickenfry" Nickname
- Here are 5 things to know about Lionel Messi's World Cup: The Rise of a Legend documentary
- Chicago Bears great Steve McMichael returns home after more than a week in hospital
- Rangers' Matt Rempe, Flyers' Nicolas Deslauriers get into lengthy NHL fight
Recommendation
Everything Simone Biles did at the Paris Olympics was amplified. She thrived in the spotlight
How Benny Blanco Has Helped Selena Gomez Feel Safe and Respected in a Relationship
Yankees' Alex Verdugo responds to scorching comments from ex-Red Sox star Jonathan Papelbon
Alabama Senate OKs bill targeting college diversity efforts
Spooky or not? Some Choa Chu Kang residents say community garden resembles cemetery
Seaplane crashes near PortMiami, all 7 passengers escape without injury, officials say
'Bluey' inspires WWE star Candice LeRae's outfit at 2024 Elimination Chamber in Australia
Dancing With the Stars' Val Chmerkovskiy and Jenna Johnson Detail Son's Bond With Maks' Kids