Japan quake death toll rises

At least nine people are now known to have died in the powerful earthquake that rocked northern Japan this weekend.

The death toll rose after bodies were found under the rubble of a moutain inn. Rescue teams are continuing to search for other people reported missing.

Repeated aftershocks have followed the quake which demolished roads and left bridges buckled and broken. More than 200 people were injured.

Saturday’s 7.2 magnitude tremor was centred in the sparsely populated area of Iwate but buildings also shook faintly in Tokyo.

Earthquakes are common in Japan, one of the world’s most seismically active areas. The government has stressed that saving lives is the priority but, with people still unaccounted for, casualty figures could rise.

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