8 killed from severe weather in Japan

​​​​​​​ISTANBUL

At least eight people have died and 54 injured since Feb. 4 from accidents related to snow removal work across Japan due to severe weather conditions, according to the Fire and Disaster Management Agency, the Mainichi newspaper reported Wednesday.

The arrival of the coldest wave of the season has led to the high snowfall totals, reaching record levels as high as 427 centimeters (14 feet) on Feb. 10, according to the country’s meteorological agency.

The Interior Ministry said eight people ranging in age from their 60s to 90s have died since Feb. 4 -- all suspected to be related to snow removal activities.

Those who died were in Japan's five prefectures -- Fukushima, Niigata, Toyama, Nagano and Fukui.

On Feb. 9, a 96-year-old woman was discovered buried in the snow on her front porch in the village of Sakae in the Nagano Prefecture and was later confirmed to have died.​​​​​​​