Twenty-three Japanese are still unaccounted for including ten college-age students from the Toyama College of Foreign Languages based in the Hokuriku region of Japan, following a 6.3 magnitude earthquake that rocked the city of Christchurch, New Zealand on Tuesday, authorities said Wednesday.
Of the missing Japanese people, 10 are believed to be students from the Toyama College and trapped under the collapsed King's College building that accommodates a language school.
The students were believed to be having lunch in the cafeteria when the quake struck, officials said.
Toyama prefecture authorities reported on Wednesday morning that of the people previously trapped in the cafeteria building on the fourth floor of the six-story King's College, 13 that have been rescued, including both teachers leading the month-long study- abroad language program.
The quake struck only two days into the students' study-abroad trip.
The authorities said that seven of those rescued have been sent to the hospital, with one person sustaining serious injuries and three suffering from broken bones.
Toyama College reported earlier on Wednesday that three Japanese females from the cities of Morioka, Kyoto and Kobe, who studied at the same language school, were also missing.
In addition, a Tokyo-based company facilitating overseas studies has failed in its attempts to contact 10 students who visited Christchurch to study through the company's language program.
Rescue attempts have been plagued by a series of large aftershocks and heavy rain, according to local officials.
Japan's foreign ministry dispatched a three-member fact-finding team Tuesday to help coordinate relief efforts and provide urgent support.
In addition, a 70-member disaster relief team, comprised of Japan coast guard officials, firefighters, police, doctors and nurses, is expected to depart for the quake-struck region Wednesday afternoon.
The government ordered the dispatch of the emergency team following New Zealand's Ambassador to Japan, Ian Kennedy, issuing a formal request for assistance during a meeting with Foreign Minister Seiji Maehara on Tuesday evening.
In a related development, the New Zealand South Island city of Christchurch Mayor Bob Parker said on Wednesday that the official death toll was 75 after Tuesday's massive earthquake.
Fifty-five bodies have been identified, With 20 other deaths confirmed, though the bodies have yet to be recovered, according to New Zealand Press Association news report on Wednesday.
There are also 300 people still missing but details are unclear and officials are currently trying to refine that list.