Death toll rises to 57 after Japan earthquake flattens buildings
The death toll in the wake of the Jan. 1 earthquake off Japan’s northwest coast rose above 60 as the government doubled the number of personnel dispatched to the affected areas to bolster rescue operations, Bloomberg reports
The number of reported fatalities reached 64, although the full extent of the damage remains unclear, according to a report from Kyodo. Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said the government will send 2,000 Self-Defense Force members to help with the rescue efforts in addition to some 2,000 firefighters and 700 police already deployed.
Numerous families in the region spent the holiday in evacuation centers and hundreds of people lined up for fresh water after the quake knocked out services. A heavy rainfall warning was issued for Wajima on Wednesday, adding to the risk of further landslides.
