Japan Earthquake: Woman In 90s Survives Under Rubble For Five Days

A woman in her 90s was safely rescued from underneath piles of rubble after five days since destructive earthquakes hit Japan. Rescue workers found her alive in the wreckage of her two-storey building in the town of Suzu. According to the Japanese newspaper Yomiuri Shimbun, 100 rescuers were sent to Suzu after learning that two women were buried alive. The elderly woman was reportedly responsive but is said to be suffering from hypothermia. The other woman, in her 40s, was found at the same site in a state of cardiopulmonary arrest.

More than 120 people have been unfortunate and were killed after the island nation was hit by 155 earthquakes of 7.5 magnitude in less than 24 hours on New Year's Day. Rescue authorities have been working non-stop to uncover survivors trapped under the rubble and deliver supplies to isolated areas. About 200 people are reportedly missing since the calamity.

Massive Destruction, Several Deaths

The visuals from the earthquake-hit region revealing the aftermath of the shockwaves are devastating. In the Ishikawa Prefecture's Honshu, media visuals show burning and toppled buildings, gaping roads, and massive tsunami waves. In Noto Peninsula too several buildings have been destructed, houses flattened, and fishing boats washed ashore or sunk.

Rescue operations for survivors are underway, and authorities say that thousands could be injured or dead under the rubble. CCTV footage circulating on social media shows large vehicles and houses wobbling due to the tremors.

According to reports, about 23,200 households were without electricity in Ishikawa and more than 66,400 lacked running water. They are forced to live in the cold without heaters, the local energy provider said. More than 30,000 people have been shifted to government housing. 

Distress Among People

As authorities suspect the death toll to rise as rescue operations continue, visuals of people scurrying in distress are being circulated on social media, revealing the severity of the calamity and its aftermath. People can be seen crouching down in fear on streets, railway stations and shops as their surroundings tremble. 

Videos of firefighters lending emotional support have also been circulated on social media. Firefighters can be heard shouting, "Hang in there," as they waded through piles of debris to rescue people caught under collapsed buildings. Videos of them rescuing people, some carrying babies, from the fires in Wajima are also being widely shared.

"I'm glad the house is this broken and everyone in my family managed to come out of it unscathed," Akiko, a resident of Wajima, told AFP, as she stood outside what was her parent's home, now destructed. "The start of 2024 will be etched into my memory forever," she added.

A total of 62,000 people had been ordered to evacuate, according to the fire and disaster management agency. About 1000 are taking refuge at a military base, the defence ministry said.

Earthquakes Trigger Tsunami, Landslide Alerts

After a series of powerful jolts hit Japan, high-level tsunami alerts were triggered in the island nation as well as South Korea and eastern Russia. Although the tsunami warnings have now been lifted, the Noto Peninsula has limited access to the northern part, 24 hours since the tremors. 

Rescue operations by choppers and boats have been deployed in the peninsula in Ishikawa Prefecture. Ishikawa Governor Hiroshi Hase wrote on X (Twitter) that in the port of Suzu, "multiple" vessels have been capsized. Officials said at least 120 people had been confirmed dead in the Prefecture. 

The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) issued a warning on heavy rainfall and the possibility of landslides in these areas for the next few days. "Be on the lookout for landslides until the evening of Wednesday," the agency said, as per Agence France Presse. Rescue operations are also being slowed down due to the intemperate weather.

Prime Minister's Statement

Prime Minister Fumio Kishida held a disaster response meeting to discuss rescue operations. "Very extensive damage has been confirmed, including numerous casualties, building collapses and fires... We have to race against time to search for and rescue victims of the disaster," he stated.

On Wednesday, Kishida held another meeting and stated, "More than 40 hours have passed since the disaster. We have received a lot of information about people in need of rescue and there are people waiting for help... However, we ask you to remain fully mindful that we are in a race against time and to continue to do your utmost to save lives, putting people's lives first."

Passengers Trapped In Trains, On Airports

The earthquakes hit the capital city of Tokyo, 300 kilometres away, leaving about 1400 passengers trapped inside trains. Georgia's ambassador Teimuraz Lezhava was one among them. She wrote on social media. " The kindness of the station staff and the passengers around us," praising the rescue team's quick action in evacuating them. 

About 500 passengers were also stranded at Noto's airport, which is now damaged as the roads and runway are left with huge cavities.