Japan PM Vows Support After Quake Tragedy: 126 Dead, 222 Missing

Japan PM Vows Support After Quake Tragedy: 126 Dead, 222 Missing

Asif Iqbal | January 7, 2024 | 02:35 PM IST | Japan, World | Follow on Google News

Japan PM Vows Support After Quake Tragedy: 126 Dead, 222 Missing.image/reauters

Japan PM Vows Support After Quake Tragedy: 126 Dead, 222 Missing

Japan’s Prime Minister, Fumio Kishida, has pledged unwavering support for the regions ravaged by the New Year’s Day earthquake, as rescue and relief operations are impeded by snow and sleet. Reports from local media indicate that the disaster has claimed a minimum of 126 lives. The adverse weather conditions on the Noto peninsula are persisting, causing distress for survivors at the earthquake’s epicenter, a magnitude 7.6 quake that has rendered over 30,000 people homeless and left tens of thousands without power.

As of now, 222 individuals are still missing, with the forecast predicting more heavy snow or rain overnight for the affected region. National broadcaster NHK has aired footage revealing construction trucks diligently excavating through nearly 10 feet of dirt to uncover houses buried by landslides.

Addressing the urgent priorities, Prime Minister Kishida emphasized the rescue of people trapped under rubble and reaching isolated areas. He stressed the need for high-priority action, stating, “As we move forward with continuous reconstruction and recovery efforts, we must not hesitate in responding due to budget constraints in the disaster-affected areas.”

In response to the crisis, Kishida announced on Friday that his government would allocate 4.74 billion yen ($32.77 million) from budget reserves for reconstruction efforts. The governor of Ishikawa Prefecture, where the Noto peninsula is situated, declared a state of emergency on Saturday, referring to the quake as an “unprecedented disaster” for the region, according to NHK.

In the city of Wajima, on the northern coast of the peninsula, a long line of cars waited at a petrol station as fuel supply gradually returned to the region. Prefectural governments have dispatched trailers with flushable toilets to evacuation centers in Wajima and other affected cities, where water supplies are slowly being restored.

At a center near Wajima’s renowned “Asaichi” morning market, which was destroyed in the quake, approximately 700 people sought shelter. Some residents, benefitting from restored electricity in parts of the city, have left, but the center remains at capacity, unable to accept new evacuees, as reported by the receptionist.

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Asif Iqbal

Asif Iqbal is a seasoned news writer with a passion for delivering the latest updates to the public. Currently serving as the senior writer at VoM News, a prominent news outlet known for its comprehensive coverage of diverse topics, Asif has established himself as a reliable source of information. With a keen eye for detail and a knack for storytelling, he consistently provides readers with well-crafted articles that cover a wide range of news categories. His dedication to journalistic integrity and his commitment to staying ahead of the news curve make him an invaluable asset to Vom News, ensuring that readers are always well-informed on the issues that matter most. You can find his work and stay updated on current events by visiting vomnews.in.