Japan Earthquake Nearly 250 Missing As Hope For Survivors Fades

Rescuers in Japan are rushing to find 242 people missing after a devastating New Year's Day earthquake.

A crucial 72-hour period to find survivors from when the quake struck ended late on Thursday.

On Friday, the death toll from the 7.6 magnitude earthquake in the remote Noto peninsula rose to 92.

Japan's Self-Defense Forces doubled the number of troops taking part in rescue and relief to 4,600, Kyodo news agency reported.
 
Many people are thought to be trapped under their collapsed homes - mostly in the towns of Suzu and Wajima. The wooden structures were not built to withstand potent earthquakes that often plague the country.

Tens of thousands of residents are still without power and water, while hundreds remain isolated from help because of landslides and blocked roads.
 
"We will not give up," Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said after a meeting with disaster response officials on Friday.
  



BBC