A series of powerful earthquakes that hit western Japan have left at least 55 people dead and damaged thousands of buildings.
A 7.6-magnitude earthquake hit the coast of central Japan on January 1. Officials warned Tuesday that more quakes could lie ahead.
The massive earthquake hit the Noto peninsula in Ishikawa prefecture on Monday afternoon, prompting Japan’s first significant tsunami warning since the devastating March 2011 earthquake and tsunami, which had about 18,500 people being declared dead or missing in the northeast.
The earthquake caused significant damage to 1,000 houses in the coastal town of Suzu. Suzu, with only 5,000 households, is situated close to the epicenter of the New Year’s Day quake. Mayor Masuhiro Izumiya described the aftermath as “catastrophic.”
The earthquake also damaged a temple and several of the town’s graves, according to local media.
‘Race against time’ to rescue more survivors, says PM Kishida
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has warned that the damage in the affected areas is “widespread,” and the causalities could rise as the rescue teams are struggling to access some remote areas amid wrecked infrastructure.
“The search and rescue of those impacted by the quake is a battle against time,” PM Kishida said after a disaster response meeting.
“Very extensive damage has been confirmed, including numerous casualties, building collapses and fires,” he said, adding that rescuers were finding it difficult to reach the northern tip of the Noto peninsula.
Japan’s chief cabinet secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi said “a total of 57,360 people have evacuated” and around 120 “cases of people” are still waiting to be rescued.
Rescue teams are struggling to reach the affected areas isolated by toppled buildings, and wrecked roads. Power supply has also been cut to tens of thousands of homes in the quake-hit town. Around 33,000 households spent the night in freezing temperatures due to a lack of electricity. Many cities are also without running water.
Rescue teams already in the quake-hit area are scrambling to pull out more survivors from collapsed buildings.
Minister warns Japan to ‘be alert’ for more earthquakes
It’s been more than 24 hours since the 7.6-magnitude earthquake and Japan is still experiencing tremors, with the latest being a 4.9 quake in Ishikawa. Hayashi warned people to be on alert for more earthquakes.
“To the people of Japan, please be on alert that there may be earthquakes for about a week of an intensity scale of up to seven,” said Hayashi.
“To the people that live in areas where the shake was strong, please look out for evacuation information through local offices, on TV, radio, and internet and take action accordingly.”
Condolences pour in
Close allies of Japan from around the globe sent their condolences over the disaster and offered assistance.
“As close allies, the United States and Japan share a deep bond of friendship that unites our people. Our thoughts are with the Japanese people during this difficult time,” US President Joe Biden said in a statement.
United Kingdom Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said he was monitoring developments. “My thoughts are with all those affected by the earthquakes in Japan which have caused such terrible damage,” he said.
French President Emmanuel Macron expressed “solidarity”, while Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni offered condolences and assistance.
Key facts
- The death toll has risen with officials confirming 55 people are now known to have died
- Hundreds of buildings were destroyed by Monday’s quake or by subsequent fires
- There have been numerous aftershocks as emergency workers search for people feared to be trapped under rubble
- Japanese PM Fumio Kishida has ordered army personnel to help with the relief effort, which is being hampered by extensive damage to roads
- Kishida’s chief cabinet secretary has warned people to “be alert” for more earthquakes in the coming week
- The government says just over 57,000 people have been evacuated
- Tens of thousands of households remain without power