Japan earthquake death toll climbs to 44
Tokyo, Sep 10: The death toll in Japan's 6.7-magnitude earthquake, that struck the Hokkaido island last week, has climbed to 44, officials said on Monday.
Rescue teams on Monday recovered the dead body of a 77-year-old man, the last person missing, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said in a press conference.
Most of the deaths were recorded in the town of Atsuma, near the epicentre of the tremor, which had struck the island last Thursday, Efe news reported.
Public broadcaster NHK reported that according to the police and local authorities in Hokkaido, 660 people were injured in the quake.
The earthquake also caused landslides that buried dozens of houses and at least 70 buildings were destroyed. Around 2,600 people remained in temporary shelters on Sunday.
The public transport system was being gradually restored and work was in progress to normalize operations at the Chitose international airport, which suspended operations after the quake left almost the whole island without power.
Power supply would continue to be erratic as the main Tomato power plant in Atsuma -- which produces around half of the total electricity in the province -- was shut down after the earthquake and the operator said it could take up to a week to restart operations.
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BJP worker earlier arrested for alleged comments against Congress MLA dies by suicide
Bengaluru: A BJP worker, who was earlier arrested on charges of making comments against Congress MLA A S Ponnanna, has allegedly died by suicide on Friday stating that he is unable to bear the humiliation, police said.
Vinay Somaiah, who is in his mid thirties and a native of Kodagu district, died by hanging at an office here, they said.
In the purported death note recovered by the police, he has stated that nearly two months ago, he was arrested by the Madikeri police on the complaint of a Congress worker Tennera Maina in connection with certain comments that were posted against Virajpet Congress MLA Ponnanna, who is Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's legal advisor, in a WhatsApp group. Vinay was said to be the admin of the WhatsApp group.
He was subsequently released on bail.
In the death note, the BJP worker alleged that the FIR filed against him was "politically motivated" and that he and his family had to face "humiliation" which upset him.
Seeking justice, he urged that action should be taken against those named in the death note.
Police said a postmortem is underway and investigation will follow.
BJP held a protest in Madikeri demanding justice for Somaiah.
Home Minister G Parameshwara speaking to reporters here said, police will examine and investigate the case.
"Concerned DCP will investigate and based on the investigation report action will be taken. Whatever may be the reason, if any such involvement of anyone as alleged is found, it will be examined. Facts will come out during the investigation, once FIR is registered investigation will follow. Based on the outcome, whoever it is, action will be taken," he said.
Speaking to reporters in Shikaripura state BJP President B Y Vijayendra urged the Home Minister to consider the Somaiah's suicide case seriously and verify about involvement of MLA or anyone else influential in the case, and take necessary action.
Demanding justice for Somaiah's death, he warned BJP will hold strong protests if the government fails to ensure a fair probe and doesn't take immediate strict action.
"Somaiah has died by suicide alleging harassment by MLA and Congress workers in the death note, it is unfortunate and painful. I don't know since the Congress government came to power there is a kind of continuous oppression on BJP workers in the state. Unnecessarily FIRs are being registered on the party workers and they are being harassed," Vijayendra alleged.
It is said that Somaiah died by suicide because of such pressure and harassment, and he is said to have mentioned about it in the death note, the BJP chief stated and added "I urge the Home Minister to consider this case on humanitarian grounds instead of like a case linked to BJP worker. This is an example of how citizens and BJP workers are suffering under this Congress administration."
(Assistance for overcoming suicidal thoughts is available on the state’s health helpline 104, Tele-MANAS 14416.)
