Demolition of Earthquake-Struck Building in Wajima Begins; 2 Killed When Structure Collapsed Due to January Quake

The Yomiuri Shimbun

13:17 JST, November 6, 2024

Demolition work has begun on a seven-story building in Wajima, Ishikawa Prefecture, that collapsed due to the Noto Peninsula Earthquake in January.

Located near the Wajima Morning Market, the structure served as the office building for a lacquerware company. It collapsed sideways, crushing an adjacent restaurant that also served as a house. Two female residents died.

The Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Ministry has been investigating the cause of the collapse. Possible factors include the base of the building and the condition of the ground.

Workers used heavy machinery Tuesday to break down the exterior wall around the third floor and cleared away the debris that fell to the ground.

“I understand that people in Wajima feel depressed seeing the collapsed building,” said Kenji Kusunoki, who lost his wife and oldest daughter.

“However, we still don’t know the results of the government’s investigation and the cause of how the two people died must be determined. I hope the demolition will be conducted with great care,” said Kusunoki, 56.