Japan Earthquake: Hope Diminishes as Almost 250 Individuals Remain Unaccounted for.

Rescue Teams in Japan Race Against Time to Locate 242 Individuals Missing in the Wake of a Devastating New Year's Day Earthquake.

Urgent Efforts Continue as 72-Hour Window Expires in Search for Japan Quake Survivors

In a race against time, rescue teams in Japan are grappling with the aftermath of a powerful 7.6 magnitude earthquake that struck the remote Noto peninsula on New Year's Day. The critical 72-hour period for finding survivors concluded late on Thursday, with the death toll rising to 92 by Friday.

Japan's Self-Defense Forces have doubled their deployment to 4,600 troops in the ongoing rescue and relief operations, as many individuals are believed to be trapped under the debris of their homes, particularly in the towns of Suzu and Wajima. The structures, primarily constructed of wood, proved vulnerable to the quake, which is a frequent challenge in seismic-prone Japan.

The impact has left tens of thousands without essential services like power and water, while hundreds remain cut off from assistance due to landslides and blocked roads. Despite the challenges, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, following a meeting with disaster response officials on Friday, affirmed, We will not give up.

Japanese Prime Minister Urges Exhaustive Efforts in Earthquake-Hit Areas as Challenges Persist

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has called on rescue and relief workers to spare no effort in reaching communities affected by the recent devastating earthquake. With access proving to be the greatest challenge, impassable roads due to rocks and landslides caused by rain and aftershocks have hindered relief efforts, as highlighted by Musubi Yata from the Japanese Red Cross Society.

The biggest challenge for us is the access. Most disastrous areas are difficult to reach because of the rocks on the roads and landslides caused by the rain and the aftershocks, said Yata, emphasizing the complications faced during medical activities amid aftershocks.

The earthquake, which occurred on New Year's Day, also triggered a small tsunami, flooding at least 296 acres (120 ha) of land, according to Japan's land ministry. In response, Japan has pledged 4.74 billion yen ($34m; £27m) in budget reserves to assist the victims.

Photos released by the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force illustrate troops loading essential supplies onto trucks, clearing debris from landslide-hit roads, and carrying survivors on stretchers over snow-covered trails. The BBC reported extensive destruction in Wajima, where traditional wooden homes collapsed, and the town, with a population of 23,000, now resembles a ghost town as most residents heeded early evacuation warnings.