Dog saves an old man in earthquake in Japan

A dog participates in a rescue operation in Wajima City, Ishikawa Prefecture on January 4.

AFP news agency on January 4 quoted Japanese Defense Minister Minoru Kihara as saying that an old woman trapped in a house that collapsed due to the earthquake on January 1 was discovered and rescued by a dog.

Jennifer is one of the specially trained dogs sent to areas worst affected by the 7.5 magnitude earthquake that struck on New Year's Day. They join soldiers and firefighters searching for survivors along Japan's western coast.

"The Self-Defense Forces rescued 122 people yesterday, including an elderly woman in a house in Wajima City who was found and rescued by her dog Jennifer," Kihara wrote on social media X.

"Today is an important day, the number of personnel will be increased to nearly 4,600 people," he said, referring to the rescue effort.

At least 84 people have died and 79 are missing after a series of earthquakes rocked Japan, damaging homes and triggering tsunami waves more than 1 meter high. Hopes of rescue have faded as the third day draws to a close.

At a press conference on January 4, Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio directed that "every effort must continue to be made to save lives, even 72 hours after the disaster."

According to rescuers, the survival rate dropped after 72 hours from the earthquake. The extent of the damage caused by the recent earthquake and tsunami in Japan is still unknown, as rescuers are still trying to reach the most northern areas of the Noto Peninsula in Ishikawa Prefecture near the epicenter.

Ishikawa officials said 30 villages remained cut off. Supplies had been delivered, but many areas were still without power, water and communications amid bad weather.

Mayor Shigeru Sakaguchi of Wajima City said 3,000 meals and 5,000 bottles of water had been provided as of January 3, but were still not enough to feed the 11,000 evacuees there.

Source link: https://thanhnien.vn/chu-cho-cuu-mot-cu-gia-trong-dong-dat-o-nhat-ban-18524010417565362.htm