TOKYO, January 2. /TASS/. The number of people killed in ongoing earthquakes in central Japan has risen to 55, according to data published by regional officials.

More than 100 people suffered injuries, of which 17 have been hospitalized in grave condition. The Ishikawa Prefecture was hit hardest as over 200 residential blocks and more than 100 buildings collapsed there, with people still being trapped under the rubble. Rescuers and firefighters are working at the scene and the Japanese Self-Defense Forces are assisting in dealing with the aftermath of the quakes. Some 60,000 people have been evacuated.

More than 250 earthquakes have hit Japan since Monday. A tsunami warning for the country’s western coast remained in effect for over 20 hours. A 7.6 magnitude earthquake that struck central Japan on Monday was the most powerful for the region since 1885.