Death toll from heavy snowfall in Japan rises to 46
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Residents leaving a polling station during Japan’s general election in Aomori prefecture on Feb 8.
PHOTO: REUTERS
AOMORI, Japan - Almost three weeks of heavy snowfall have killed 46 people and injured 558 others in Japan, fresh data from the Fire and Disaster Management Agency showed on Feb 10.
Continued snowfall since late January has buried northern communities and caused traffic chaos
Many fatal accidents happened when mounds of snow fell on residents from roofs or when people tumbled while trying to clear it, according to police and local officials.
In the northern regional hub of Aomori, residents are having to deal with snow as high as 1.3m on the ground, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency. AFP
