Woman in her 90s Found Alive Five Days After Devastating Earthquake Hits Japan
In a miraculous turn of events, a woman in her 90s has been discovered alive under rubble in Japan, five days after a powerful earthquake rocked central Japan.
The 7.5-magnitude earthquake struck the Japan Sea coast on Monday, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake. Towns on the remote Noto peninsula were flattened, and the death toll has risen to over 120, with an additional 200 people still missing.
Rescue workers made a remarkable discovery when they found the elderly woman buried beneath the wreckage of a two-storey building in the town of Suzu. Acting on a tip that two women were trapped alive, they worked tirelessly to save the lives of those still beneath the rubble.
The woman, though suffering from hypothermia, was responsive and grateful to be rescued. Unfortunately, another woman in her 40s was also found at the same site but had already succumbed to cardiopulmonary arrest.
The fact that these women were found alive after the critical 72-hour window for rescues had closed is nothing short of miraculous. It is a testament to the heroic efforts of the rescue teams who refused to give up hope.
Japan’s Self-Defense Forces have been utilizing helicopters to conduct rescue operations and deliver supplies to isolated areas, as many roads continue to be blocked by debris. However, their efforts may face challenges in the coming days as wet weather is forecasted. Authorities have raised concerns that the rain could trigger more landslides, hampering rescue efforts.
Adding to the tumultuous situation, a cold front is on its way, bringing snowfall to the mountainous regions of the Ishikawa prefecture.
Currently, more than 30,000 people are being housed in government shelters, and thousands of households remain without electricity and running water in Ishikawa. Restoring services such as running water is expected to be a lengthy process due to cracked water pipes caused by the quake.
Moreover, several hospitals and facilities for the elderly and disabled are also grappling with power and water outages.
Japan is known for its high seismic activity, and the Noto region in particular has experienced an increase in earthquake activity since the end of 2020. In the past three years alone, there have been over 500 small and medium-scale earthquakes, emphasizing the vulnerability of the area.
As the nation continues to recover from this devastating earthquake, the resilience and determination of the Japanese people shine through. Despite the challenges ahead, rescue teams and communities remain united, providing support and care to those affected by this natural disaster.
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