Death Toll in Japan Earthquake Reaches 202, Over 100 Still Missing

The official number of deaths in the powerful earthquake that hit central Japan on January 1 reached 202 on Tuesday. According to the Japanese government, over 100 persons are still missing.

The 7.5 magnitude earthquake devastated the Noto Peninsula on Japan’s main island Honshu on New Year’s Day.

Rescuers are still searching for bodies in the rubble eight days after the devastating quake. Almost 3,500 people are still stuck in isolated communities because of the disruption of road communication.

Ishikawa regional authorities released figures on Tuesday showing that 202 people were confirmed dead.

Heavy snowfall has affected the relief operations in several places. Almost 30,000 people were living in around 400 government shelters. Almost 60,000 families were without running water and 15,600 had no electricity supply.

Road conditions have been worsened by around 1000 landslides caused by the rains.

On Tuesday, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida instructed ministers to “make efforts of resolving the state of isolation (of communities) and continue tenacious rescue activities”.