Japanese disaster management officials announced on Monday that 17 people died and more than 90 others were injured following heavy snowfall in the northern regions of the country.
The Fire and Disaster Management Agency said in a statement that heavy snowfall in northern regions since last week killed 11 people on Saturday. On Monday morning, the death toll rose to 17 and the injured to 93.
The agency reported that “victims died after falling from the roofs of their homes, while clearing snow, or were buried under heavy mounds of snow,” reports the Associated Press.
Municipal offices in affected areas have urged residents to “be careful when clearing snow and not do it alone”.
Heavy snowfall on Sunday caused a power pylon to fall in far northern Japan, knocking out power to around 20,000 homes, so power will be restored to most areas later, according to the Ministry of Economy.
Dozens of air flights and departures via trains were also suspended in the north of the country, but services resumed later on Sunday, according to the transport ministry.
Agence Anadole