“Death Toll Climbs to 232 in Devastating Japan Earthquake”
As of Wednesday, the tragic aftermath of the powerful earthquake that struck central Japan's Ishikawa Prefecture has claimed the lives of 232 individuals, according to regional authorities.
The latest figures were reported at 9 a.m. local time, revealing an additional 10 casualties in Wajima, one of the severely affected towns. Wajima, renowned for its morning market, a popular tourist attraction, witnessed substantial damage due to fires triggered by the earthquake. Over the past week, Wajima has become the focal point for extensive search and rescue efforts.
The count of missing persons has decreased by one to 21, with 17 individuals still unaccounted for in Wajima and four in the city of Suzu.
Reports from local media indicate that a staggering 22,374 houses have been confirmed damaged in the disaster-stricken area, a number that may rise following further assessments.
The cities of Wajima and Suzu continue to grapple with “extensive” damage, and the true extent of the situation remains unclear, as per Kyodo Tsushin news agency.
