Deaths from western Japan earthquakes surpass 100; rain and snow imperil already shaky ground

Aftershocks are threatening to bury more homes and block roads crucial for relief shipments, as the death toll from the earthquakes that rattled Japan’s western coastline last week surpassed 100 people

WAJIMA, Japan -- Aftershocks threatened to bury more homes and block roads crucial for relief shipments, as the death toll from the earthquakes that rattled Japan’s western coastline last week surpassed 100 people on Saturday.

Among the dead was a 5-year-old boy who had been recovering from injuries after boiling water spilled on him during Monday’s 7.6 magnitude earthquake. His condition suddenly worsened and he died Friday, according to Ishikawa prefecture, the hardest-hit region.

Officials warned that roads, already cracked from the dozens of earthquakes that continue to shake the area, could collapse completely. That risk was growing with rain and snow expected overnight and Sunday.

Reported deaths had reached 98 earlier Saturday, and two more deaths were reported in Anamizu city as officials were holding their daily meeting to discuss strategy and damages. Within a couple of hours, 10 more deaths were reported in Wajima, putting the latest count at 110 people.

Wajima city has recorded the highest number of deaths with 69, followed by Suzu with 23. More than 500 people were injured, at least 27 of them seriously.