Over 200 fatalities have been reported since the New Year’s earthquakes in Japan

On New Year’s, a 7.6 magnitude earthquake struck Japan’s western coastline, resulting in the deaths of 206 people as of Wednesday, including eight fatalities at evacuation centers. These deaths occurred due to injuries and sickness in the shelters, rather than direct impact from the earthquake, fires, or mudslides.

Shigeru Nishimori, a disaster official in Ishikawa prefecture, the most affected area, noted that the unfamiliar and stressful conditions of living in temporary shelters contributed to these deaths. Currently, around 26,000 people are residing in schools and other provisional shelters due to their homes being destroyed or unsafe. The region, still experiencing aftershocks, faces ongoing risks of landslides and further building collapses.

Shinichi Kuriyama, director at the International Research Institute of Disaster Science, expressed shock at the number of deaths in Ishikawa’s evacuation centers. He emphasized the importance of communication, which seems to be lacking, and pointed out that vulnerable individuals often miss out on aid due to lack of awareness or inability to access it. He also remarked on the tendency of the Japanese to endure hardships quietly, which could exacerbate the situation.

The death toll has been rising as rescue teams continue to find bodies in the rubble. The majority of fatalities were in Suzu city, Wajima, and Anamizu, with others spread across smaller towns. The number of missing persons has decreased to 52, while those injured total 567. Additionally, 1,814 homes were destroyed or seriously damaged, leaving thousands without electricity and running water.

A tsunami following the earthquake caused significant damage, and a fire in Wajima city added to the devastation. Authorities have also raised concerns about the risk of infectious diseases in crowded shelters, where people have been sleeping in cold conditions, often without blankets.

Efforts to improve conditions include setting up camping tents in a large hall to house 500 people and prioritizing vulnerable individuals for better accommodations. Moreover, 110 hotels and inns have volunteered to house 3,000 people from the quake-affected areas, with nearby prefectures also offering hotel spaces.

The government, facing criticism over its disaster response, has allocated 4.7 billion yen ($33 million) for relief efforts, including providing food, water, blankets, milk, and clothing. This expenditure is expected to increase as the situation unfolds.