Japanese rescuers are working against time and aftershocks to find survivors of a New Year’s Day earthquake that resulted in at least 48 deaths and widespread destruction in Ishikawa prefecture on the main island of Honshu. The 7.5 magnitude quake triggered tsunami waves, a major fire, and significant damage to roads.
In the badly-hit city of Wajima, residents expressed amazement at the destruction of their homes, with one individual noting that the earthquake was “long and violent.” The death toll, initially reported at 48 by local authorities, is expected to rise as rescue efforts continue.
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida acknowledged the extensive damage, including casualties, building collapses, and fires, urging a swift response in the search and rescue operations. Aerial footage highlighted the scale of a fire in Wajima’s old market area, impeding rescue efforts.
Approximately 33,000 households experienced power outages, and many cities were without running water. The US Geological Survey reported a magnitude of 7.5, while Japan’s meteorological agency measured it at 7.6, with over 210 aftershocks recorded.
Warnings of larger tsunami waves proved unfounded, and Japan lifted all tsunami warnings on Tuesday. Images on social media depicted violent wobbling of cars, houses, and bridges in Ishikawa, with houses collapsing, roads cracking, and landslides occurring.
Rescue teams faced challenges, with firefighters in Wajima crawling under collapsed buildings to find survivors. The fire in Wajima reportedly engulfed around 200 structures, prompting evacuations in the dark.
Ishikawa Governor Hiroshi Hase highlighted widespread road damage due to landslides or cracking, while the port of Suzu reported multiple vessel capsizes. Bullet trains were suspended, and Tokyo, 300 kilometers away, experienced apartment shaking. About 1,400 people were stuck on suspended bullet trains overnight, while others were stranded in local express trains for nearly 24 hours.
Japan, accustomed to frequent earthquakes, experienced a notable increase in seismic activity in the Noto Peninsula region since 2018. Despite the devastation, Japan’s nuclear authority reported no abnormalities in atomic power plants.
China, along with the United States and other countries, expressed condolences on Tuesday.
