Heavy snowfall claims 35 lives in Japan

At least 35 people have died in Japan as a result of heavy snowfall in the country’s northern regions and along the Sea of Japan coast.

The fatalities include elderly people who fell from rooftops while clearing snow, as well as individuals who died from overexertion while clearing roads and yards, Caliber.Az reports, citing TBS and local authorities.

In Niigata Prefecture on the Sea of Japan coast, one local resident was crushed by debris from his own house, which collapsed under the weight of snow.

TBS reports that authorities in many areas are struggling to clear roads, which have become clogged with massive traffic jams. In some districts, primary and secondary schools have been closed for three consecutive days. In Aomori Prefecture in northern Honshu, army units have been deployed to assist with snow removal on roads.

By Khagan Isayev