SAPTARI – Tokyo At least 13 people have been killed in heavy snowfall off the coast of Japan, Japanese rescue workers say. According to the Japanese Fire and Disaster Management Agency, more than 250 people were injured in the incident.

Local media reported that three people, aged between 60 and 80, had died in Fukui Prefecture. At least 47 people have been injured in snow-related accidents here. Similarly, four people have been killed in avalanches in Niigata prefecture. Japanese troops have also been mobilized to rescue and assist people in the three snow-affected prefectures. In addition, road traffic has been badly affected by the snowfall. More than 1,200 vehicles are stranded on the Hokuriku Expressway.

The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) said snow would fall in the eastern part of the Pacific Ocean until Tuesday. According to the JMA, up to 20 centimeters of snow will fall in the hilly areas of Kinki, Tokai and Shikoku by Tuesday evening.