Japan earthquakes death toll climbs to 100

By Gozde Bayar

The death toll from New Year's Day earthquakes in Japan climbed to 100 with more than 210 missing, media reports said Saturday.

Seoul-based Yonhap News said officials in Wajima, one of the hardest hit areas, believe there are about 100 locations where victims are still trapped under buildings and awaiting rescue.

As of Saturday morning, 211 people were missing as rescuers raced to free survivors from the rubble, with rain expected Sunday in the region, followed by snow.

Many are still trapped under collapsed buildings as search and rescue workers battle the rubble and harsh weather to find survivors.

There have been more than 600 tremors across Japan.

About 33,000 people have been evacuated to around 370 shelters in Ishikawa province, which has faced the worst human loss and infrastructure damage.

Many areas are still cut off, with authorities unable to access at least 700 victims, while there are no electrical supplies to about 30,000 homes, and 80,000 dwellings in the province are without water.