Police and rescue dogs search for victims in the rubble of a house that collapsed after an earthquake in Ishikawa Prefecture, Japan, January 3, 2024. Photo: Kyodo/VNA

The 7.6 magnitude earthquake and aftershocks jolted Ishikawa prefecture and neighboring areas on January 1. Three days after the earthquake, 30 villages remained inaccessible.

Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio pledged to mobilize all resources to save lives even though the 72-hour window of time expires.

Japan's Ministry of Education and Culture reported the earthquake and aftershocks caused damage to 276 schools and 20 important cultural relics.