Race Against Time: Rescuers Extract Quake Survivors in Japan as Critical 72-hour Window Ends
An elderly woman is carefully rescued from the debris of a collapsed house by firefighters wearing helmets and headlamps She emerges, dazed but conscious, expressing gratitude to her rescuers
Emerging slowly on a stretcher, wrapped in blankets, the elderly woman expressed her gratitude to the firefighters, donning helmets and headlamps, as they carefully lifted her over the debris of a collapsed house. She is one of the survivors of the catastrophic 7.5 magnitude earthquake that ravaged the once peaceful seaside city of Wajima in Ishikawa Prefecture, Japan, on Monday.
The city, once known as a popular tourist destination with a lively morning market, saw firefighters and rescue workers tirelessly working through the night to locate and rescue those who were still trapped or missing. Although there were moments of hope, such as the rescue of an elderly woman on Thursday, the search became more urgent as time passed, with at least 242 people still missing, according to the prefecture.
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida stated on Thursday, "The situation is incredibly difficult, but we will make every effort to save and rescue as many people as possible with all our resources on the ground until those crucial 72 hours for saving lives have passed."
Cracked roads have complicated search and rescue efforts in Wajima, one of the worst affected locations in Japan's Ishikawa Prefecture.
Junko Ogura/CNN
The initial 72 hours following a natural disaster are crucial for locating survivors as the health of those trapped or injured can rapidly decline. In Suzu city, located just an hour's drive from Wajima across the devastated Noto peninsula, footage from Wednesday depicted rescuers sifting through the debris of a collapsed house and rescuing a 79-year-old man covered in dust and dirt.
When the earthquake hit, he was alone at home and became trapped under the collapsed house for approximately 48 hours, as reported by CNN affiliate TV Asahi. After a two-hour effort, rescue workers were able to free him on Wednesday. In a video, medical staff promptly treated him while his daughter tearfully looked on, calling out to him. He was conscious and transported to the hospital, as stated by TV Asahi.
The search efforts have been hampered by the extensive destruction throughout the prefecture, as well as unfavorable weather and continuous aftershocks. Entire communities are inaccessible due to landslides and blocked roads, while telecommunication infrastructure is also affected, causing disruptions in phone, mobile, and internet services in many areas.
During CNN's visit to Wajima on Thursday, what is normally a 2-3 hour journey across the peninsula took the entire day. Ambulances, fire trucks, and military vehicles struggled to navigate through heavy traffic, which worsened as we approached the town.
Firefighters, police, military personnel and rescue workers from across the country have been dispatched to the prefecture.
The roads were filled with huge cracks and cluttered with debris like large boulders, and the lack of signal meant no way to access navigation apps or communicate with the outside world. As evening fell, the weather worsened, with rain, fog, and darkness making it even more difficult for rescue workers to find survivors.
Upon arriving in the city, CNN's team witnessed a seven-story building that had collapsed to its side, with rescue workers struggling for hours to save a woman trapped inside, only to be hindered by frequent aftershocks. Following the earthquake, a destructive fire erupted in Wajima, resulting in the burning and blackening of hundreds of buildings and the near destruction of the renowned morning market.
The scale of the rescue operation has meant personnel being dispatched from across the nation to Ishikawa - ranging from local officials and police to military troops.
A seven-story building toppled on its side in Wajima, Japan, on January 4, 2024.
Junko Ogura/CNN
Firefighters from Osaka prefecture, hundreds of kilometers from Wajima, rescued the woman in her 80s on Thursday. A man had been pulled out of the collapsed house before her, but unfortunately, he was declared dead at the scene.
As of Friday morning, the earthquake has claimed the lives of at least 92 people, as reported by Ishikawa prefecture. The aid being received is insufficient, with a shortage of water, food, and blankets. During a brief news conference on Thursday, Wajima city hall officials expressed concern over reports of fatalities in evacuation centers. However, due to communication issues, the full extent of the damage and the amount of aid required in isolated areas cannot be confirmed.
The city hall is serving as a shelter for evacuees, who are making do with sleeping on cardboard and mats. The lack of running water is leading to sanitation issues, and the building, which is four stories high, is quickly running out of space as families, pets, and children huddle together on each floor.
Wajima's famous morning market, which had been a tourist draw in the seaside city, was destroyed by the initial earthquake and ensuing massive fire.
Junko Ogura/CNN
The survivors are now grappling with the aftermath, mourning the lost and attempting to salvage what they can.
"It's terrible - I've never witnessed anything like this before. It's my first time going through something like this," expressed Kyoko Izumi, a liquor store owner in Wajima. "The aftershocks are truly frightening. They occurred several times during the night… it felt as though the entire ground was being pushed up from beneath me."
During her interview with CNN on Thursday, she expressed her concern for her friends' safety due to the lack of communication caused by the downed phone lines. In addition, the destruction of her store has left her unsure about the future of her livelihood.
"Seeing the condition of the morning market, I am uncertain about its functionality and the time it will take to rebuild," she said, surveying the charred remains.
CNNs Saki Toi and Daniel Campisi contributed reporting.
