Rescue efforts continue in the Noto Peninsula, central Japan, after a 7.6 magnitude earthquake struck on New Year's Day.
Officials in Ishikawa Prefecture say 202 people are confirmed dead and over 100 remain unaccounted for.
Police have mounted an intensive search for the missing after a fire near the quake's epicenter in Wajima City. The blaze is estimated to have burned 48,000 square meters and destroyed more than 200 buildings.
A resident who lost her home and is now staying at a shelter said, "My next-door neighbors on both sides and behind me are all missing. I'm afraid they are all buried here. I hope they will be found."
Among the quake victims was five-year-old Nakagawa Kanato. He was burned by a boiling kettle on a stove when the quake hit.
His mother said their home was damaged so they waited in a hospital lobby for one night, before going to a relative's house.
The mother said, "The doctor said my son's burns weren't considered serious enough, so he wasn't admitted to the hospital."
She said Kanato's condition suddenly worsened, and he died two days later.
She said, "He was a thoughtful child, and he was kind to everyone. I want him back. I wish I had played with him more. I'm full of regret."
Ongoing relief efforts are being hampered by damaged roads and winter weather.
As of Tuesday evening, more than 3,000 people in the northern part of the peninsula were still isolated.
Water and electricity remain cut off in some areas.
A group of Vietnamese technical trainees working at a local inn spoke to NHK about the difficulties they are facing getting drinking water.
They are relying on a nearby spring for cleaning, but the water is not drinkable.
Over 26,000 people are staying at temporary shelters.
At a shelter in Wajima, concerns over hygiene and garbage disposal are mounting.
A garbage collection worker said, "My house has been damaged. But I need to keep working to get everyone's life back to normal."
Some people have opted to sleep in their cars.
Among them is Kakuto Giichi, whose weak legs make a shelter-stay difficult. His daughter brings him water, food and medicine.
Kakuto said, "I've never had such a hardship in my 75 years of life."
Heavy rain or snow is forecast for the disaster-hit areas on Wednesday.
Officials are advising evacuees to take precautions against hypothermia.
Officials in Ishikawa Prefecture say 202 people are confirmed dead and over 100 remain unaccounted for.
Police have mounted an intensive search for the missing after a fire near the quake's epicenter in Wajima City. The blaze is estimated to have burned 48,000 square meters and destroyed more than 200 buildings.
A resident who lost her home and is now staying at a shelter said, "My next-door neighbors on both sides and behind me are all missing. I'm afraid they are all buried here. I hope they will be found."
Among the quake victims was five-year-old Nakagawa Kanato. He was burned by a boiling kettle on a stove when the quake hit.
His mother said their home was damaged so they waited in a hospital lobby for one night, before going to a relative's house.
The mother said, "The doctor said my son's burns weren't considered serious enough, so he wasn't admitted to the hospital."
She said Kanato's condition suddenly worsened, and he died two days later.
She said, "He was a thoughtful child, and he was kind to everyone. I want him back. I wish I had played with him more. I'm full of regret."
Ongoing relief efforts are being hampered by damaged roads and winter weather.
As of Tuesday evening, more than 3,000 people in the northern part of the peninsula were still isolated.
Water and electricity remain cut off in some areas.
A group of Vietnamese technical trainees working at a local inn spoke to NHK about the difficulties they are facing getting drinking water.
They are relying on a nearby spring for cleaning, but the water is not drinkable.
Over 26,000 people are staying at temporary shelters.
At a shelter in Wajima, concerns over hygiene and garbage disposal are mounting.
A garbage collection worker said, "My house has been damaged. But I need to keep working to get everyone's life back to normal."
Some people have opted to sleep in their cars.
Among them is Kakuto Giichi, whose weak legs make a shelter-stay difficult. His daughter brings him water, food and medicine.
Kakuto said, "I've never had such a hardship in my 75 years of life."
Heavy rain or snow is forecast for the disaster-hit areas on Wednesday.
Officials are advising evacuees to take precautions against hypothermia.
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Summary
7.6 magnitude earthquake in Noto Peninsula, Ishikawa Prefecture, Japan; 202 confirmed dead, over 100 missing. Fire near quake's epicenter destroyed 200 buildings. Resident expresses fear for missing neighbors. Five-year-old Nakagawa Kanato dies due to burn injuries from a boiling kettle during the
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ID: f7f1c4fe-61b7-4111-a6e5-32514f1dcafb
Category ID: nhk
URL: https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20240110_02/
Date: Jan. 10, 2024
Created: 2024/01/10 06:30
Updated: 2025/12/08 19:10
Last Read: 2024/01/10 08:37