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At least 35 killed after weeks of heavy snowfall in Japan
Weeks of heavy snowfall in Japan has killed at least 35 people, government officials have said.
And there are fears the worst is yet to come - with more heavy snowfall expected this weekend. Nearly 400 more have been injured, 126 people seriously, primarily around the northern and central regions of the country - and more than a dozen properties damaged.
As of Wednesday, 15 prefectures were affected, with snow in some areas estimated to have reached up to 2m (6.5ft). Task forces have been set up and deployed to some of the worst-hit regions.
Most of the fatalities and injuries reported across the country were caused by falls as people tried to clear the snow from around their homes. There have also been reports of people suffering sudden heart attacks.
In the northern city of Uonuma in Niigata prefecture, a rice-growing region, a man in his 50s was found collapsed on the roof of his home. In Nagaoka city, a man in his 70s is believed to have died after falling from the roof of his house.
The weather is getting warmer, but officials have warned melting snow could cause landslides. "Please do pay close attention to your safety, wearing a helmet or using a lifeline rope, especially when working on clearing snow," chief cabinet secretary Minoru Kihara told reporters.
Read more from Sky News:Teen swims four hours to save familyAir India flight grounded after 'possible defect' The reason behind the heavy snowfall is unclear - however snow-related deaths and accidents are not uncommon in Japan. During the six winter months last year 68 people were killed, according to the country's Fire and Disaster Management Agency..
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