Japan earthquake toll increases to 65 as aftershocks continue

TOKYO: The death toll from the a series of powerful earthquakes that struck the central Japanese prefecture of Ishikawa earlier this week, increased to 65 on Wednesday, with continued aftershocks and severe weather conditions hindering rescue work. The worst-hit city of Wajima in Ishikawa has confirmed a total of 32 deaths, Xinhua news agency quoted Japan’s Kyodo News as saying citing local authorities.

In a series of aftershocks experienced by the region, one with a magnitude of 5.6 on Wednesday morning and one with a magnitude of 4.6 on Tuesday evening struck off the Noto Peninsula, both at shallow depths and measuring upper 5 on Japan’s seismic intensity scale which peaks at 7, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA). The full extent of the quake remains unknown as rubble and severed roads still prevent search and rescue operations on Wednesday, two days after the 7.6-magnitude quake on Monday caused extensive structural damage and fires in Wajima.

According to the prefectural government, at least 60 people are now in a state of isolation due to cut-off roads in at least three municipalities, including the severely hit city of Nanao.

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