Japan Earthquake Death Toll Rises Amid Ongoing Rescue Efforts

The death toll from the recent earthquakes in the central Japanese prefecture of Ishikawa has reached 82, with 51 people still missing. As rescue efforts continue, many in affected areas are running out of essential supplies.

Prime Minister Fumio Kishida emphasized the critical 72-hour window for rescues during a meeting of the emergency disaster response headquarters. A transport ship carrying food and essential supplies is expected to arrive in Ishikawa by Friday evening.

The earthquakes, centered in the Noto region, have caused water outages in several areas, while rubble and severed roads pose challenges to search and rescue operations. The Japan Meteorological Agency officially named the series of earthquakes the 2024 Noto Peninsula Earthquake.