Japan earthquake: Nearly 250 missing as hope for survivors fades

The death toll from the 7.6 magnitude quake in the isolated Noto island increased to 92 on Friday.

According to a Kyodo media firm, Japan’s Self-Defense Makes doubled the number of soldiers participating in rescue and relief efforts to 4, 600.

Many people, mostly in the cities of Suzu and Wajima, are believed to be trapped beneath their demolished properties. The wooden buildings were n’t designed to withstand the nation’s frequent, severe earthquakes.

Due to mudslides and blocked bridges, tens of thousands of occupants are still without access to power and water, and hundreds more are left alone and in need of assistance.

Following a meeting with crisis response officers on Friday, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida declared,” We will not give up.”

Mr. Kishida urged rescuers and comfort workers to reach the affected areas as soon as possible.

According to Japan’s land ministry, the earthquake on Monday night also caused a small tsunami that flooded at least 296 acres ( 120 ha ) of land.

Japan had announced that it would allocate 4.74 billion yen ($ 34 million, £27 million ) in budget reserves to help the victims.

Soldiers were seen loading food, water, and cosmetics onto cars that were lined up on the road in pictures posted by the Japan Ground Self Defense Force. Soldiers can also be seen removing dirt and other debris from roads that have been hit by landslides.

In another image, soldiers were seen transporting a victim over snow-covered terrain while riding on stretchers.

On a Wednesday trip to Wajima, where some houses and vehicles were destroyed by crumbling cement, the BBC witnessed broad destruction. Old, traditional sturdy homes in the town had mostly collapsed.

The 23, 000-person city then resembles a ghost town because the majority of people heeded tsunami-related first evacuation cautions.