Rescue efforts in Japan are in a race against time to locate 242 individuals missing in the aftermath of a destructive New Year's Day earthquake. The critical 72-hour window for finding survivors since the 7.6 magnitude quake struck on Thursday has concluded, with the death toll reaching 92 in the remote Noto peninsula. Japan's Self-Defense Forces have intensified their rescue and relief operations, doubling troop numbers to 4,600.
Many are believed to be trapped under collapsed homes, particularly in the towns of Suzu and Wajima, where the wooden structures were not designed to withstand such powerful earthquakes. Tens of thousands of residents remain without power and water, with hundreds isolated due to landslides and blocked roads.
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, vowing not to give up, urged rescue teams to spare no effort in reaching affected communities. The challenging terrain, marked by rock-covered roads and landslides caused by rain and aftershocks, has hampered access.
The earthquake also triggered a small tsunami, flooding 296 acres of land. Japan has allocated 4.74 billion yen ($34 million) from budget reserves to aid victims. Photos from the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force depict troops loading essential supplies onto trucks and clearing debris from landslide-hit roads.
Wajima, with a population of 23,000, resembles a ghost town after residents heeded early evacuation warnings. The town, featuring traditional wooden homes, suffered extensive destruction, with some buildings and vehicles crushed under crumbling concrete. The BBC observed the aftermath firsthand during a visit to Wajima on Wednesday, witnessing the lingering impact of the quake on the community.
