The death toll resulting from the powerful earthquake along Japan’s west coast on New Year’s Day has climbed to 100, as announced by local authorities on Saturday.

In the affected Ishikawa prefecture, 211 individuals are still reported missing. The government has mobilized additional troops to assist the search and rescue operations in the disaster-stricken area.

The first 72 hours following such an event are critical for finding survivors. Beyond this timeframe, the chances of locating and rescuing individuals significantly diminish.

Wajima, a coastal town severely impacted by the 7.6-magnitude quake, witnessed a massive fire outbreak causing extensive destruction to numerous houses. Search and rescue operations faced challenges due to vast amounts of debris, damaged roads, landslides, and ongoing aftershocks. These obstacles have hindered the efforts of the rescue teams on the ground.