Earthquakes in Japan: 62 dead, race against time to find survivors

Rescuers continue to search through rubble amid forecasts of bitter cold and heavy rain in what the prime minister called a race against time after powerful earthquakes in western Japan 62 deaths. Dozens of people are still believed to be trapped under collapsed buildings.

Ishikawa Prefecture and nearby areas were rocked by a magnitude 4.9 aftershock early Wednesday – one of dozens of aftershocks that followed Monday’s magnitude 7.6 earthquake.

The first 72 hours are particularly critical, experts say, because the chances of survival drop significantly after three days.

“More than 40 hours have passed. It’s a race against time and I have the feeling that we are at a critical moment”Prime Minister Fumio Kishida told reporters. “We have received reports that many people are still waiting to be rescued under collapsed buildings.”

The narrowness of the Noto peninsula has made access to certain localities even more difficult. Water, electricity and mobile phone services were still cut in some areas.

“Almost all the houses are still standing. They are partially or totally destroyed”said Masuhiro Izumiya, the mayor of the neighboring town of Suzu, which suffered significant damage.

Relief officials distributed water, blankets, food and other supplies. Search dogs joined the military and firefighters to try to find and rescue dozens of people who are still believed to be trapped.

Heavy rainfall expected

Weather forecasts predict heavy rainfall in Ishikawa, raising fears of landslides and further damage to half-destroyed houses. Temperatures are expected to drop to around 4°C overnight.

According to authorities in Ishikawa Prefecture, 29 people died in the town of Wajima and 22 in Suzu. Eleven deaths have been reported in other nearby towns, and two more deaths have not yet been officially confirmed in Wajima, meaning the total death toll could be as high as 64 people. Dozens of people were seriously injured, including in neighboring prefectures.

Ishikawa Governor Hiroshi Hase encouraged residents to use masks, antiseptics and soap to prevent the spread of infectious diseases as evacuees shelter together. The priority is to ensure adequate water supply and sanitation services for the displaced people, he said.

Authorities warned that the situation was unpredictable and that it was possible that even larger earthquakes could occur.