Japan quake death toll reaches 62: local govt

homes along the coastline near Ukai, a day after a major 7.5 magnitude earthquake struck the Noto region in Ishikawa prefecture. Photo: AFP

The death toll from a powerful earthquake that hit central Japan on New Year’s Day has reached 62, a local government official said Wednesday.

More than 300 injuries have also been reported, of which 20 are severe, an official in charge of disaster response at the Ishikawa regional government told AFP.