SUZU, Japan: In the aftermath of the magnitude-7.6 earthquake that struck central Japan on New Year’s Day, a remarkable rescue has unfolded, defying the usual timeline for finding survivors. A woman in her 90s was trapped under the rubble for five days in the city of Suzu before being successfully rescued on Saturday.
Despite the challenging conditions, rescuers from Tokyo and Fukuoka reached the collapsed house and pulled the elderly woman to safety.
The quake and its aftershocks have claimed at least 126 lives, with 222 individuals reported missing. The disaster toppled buildings, triggered a major fire, and unleashed tsunami waves, leaving communities on the Noto Peninsula isolated due to damaged roads and landslides.
ALSO READ: Miraculous Rescue: Elderly Woman Saved from Rubble After Devastating Japan Earthquake
Relief efforts face additional challenges as snow and storms are expected to complicate the recovery mission. The adverse weather conditions may impede the transportation of aid and worsen the situation for over 30,000 people in government shelters. Prime Minister Fumio Kishida emphasizes the need to prioritize rescues, improve conditions in shelters, and address the health concerns of those affected by the disaster.
Despite Japan’s stringent building codes, the earthquake’s impact reveals vulnerabilities in older structures, especially in rural areas. The nation, still haunted by the 2011 monster quake and subsequent tsunami, is grappling with the complexities of disaster response and recovery.
