WAJIMA, Japan - Japan is grappling with the aftermath of a devastating New Year's Day earthquake, marking the country's deadliest seismic event in nearly eight years. The death toll has surged past 100, with over 200 individuals still missing, as rescue efforts persist in the Hokuriku region, where a magnitude 7.6 earthquake wreaked havoc on the west coast.

The quake, which destroyed critical infrastructure, has left 23,000 homes without power, exacerbating the challenges faced by more than 30,000 evacuees awaiting aid. The search for survivors trapped under collapsed buildings is entering its sixth day, posing an ongoing humanitarian crisis.

Wajima city and Anamizu town reported an additional 16 deaths, bringing the total confirmed fatalities to 110, according to the Ishikawa prefectural government and other sources. The toll has now surpassed the 2016 earthquakes in Kumamoto, which claimed 276 lives, including related deaths.

Road disruptions and logistical issues are impeding the timely delivery of essential relief supplies, compounding the difficulties faced by affected communities. Residents, like 73-year-old freelance cameraman Masao Mochizuki, are grappling with the immediate challenges of securing necessities, such as heat patches and protective gear, amid the shattered infrastructure.

While some local businesses, like a reopened supermarket in Wajima, offer a glimmer of hope by resuming operations, the road to reconstruction remains uncertain. Mochizuki expressed gratitude for the reopened store but acknowledged the emotional toll, emphasizing the long journey ahead for rebuilding shattered communities.