Fresh Tremors Rock Japan: 6.0 Earthquake Hits Days After Devastating Noto Peninsula Quake

The National Centre For Seismology reported a 6.0 magnitude earthquake striking the west coast of Japan near Honshu at 2:29 pm.

Rescuers continue their race against time to clear debris and reach nearly 3,500 individuals stranded in remote communities, authorities confirmed. Latest data from Ishikawa revealed a rise in the death toll to 202, up from the earlier count of 180, with 102 individuals still unaccounted for, down from 120.

The region has experienced over 1,200 aftershocks, amplifying the number of missing persons to 323, particularly impacting Wajima.

Relief efforts have been hindered by heavy snow, affecting approximately 30,000 people seeking shelter in 400 government facilities. Nearly 60,000 households are without running water, while 15,600 have been left without electricity.

Prime Minister Fumio Kishida directed ministers to prioritize resolving the isolation of affected communities and to persist in robust rescue operations during the daily government disaster-relief meeting. He also advocated for the evacuation of residents to areas outside the earthquake-affected zones.