Many people were buried under rubble after the 7.6 magnitude earthquake in Japan.
At least six people were buried under rubble in the city of Wajima after a powerful 7.6 magnitude earthquake struck Japan.
According to Kyodo News, a 7.6 magnitude earthquake struck Ishikawa Prefecture in central Japan on January 1, 2024.
Following the earthquake, a tsunami warning was issued for the Noto Peninsula in Ishikawa Prefecture, with tsunami waves predicted to reach up to 5 meters in height. Additionally, tsunami warnings were issued for Niigata, Toyama, Yamagata, Fukui, and Hyogo prefectures along the Japanese coast.
Authorities in Wajima City (Noto Peninsula) reported that waves higher than 1.2 meters were recorded in the local port area. The earthquake also caused the collapse of numerous houses in the area and triggered a major fire. To date, six victims have been reported trapped under the rubble.
Local rescue teams are urgently searching for victims trapped in the earthquake. Approximately 1,000 residents in Wajima have also been evacuated to a Japan Self-Defense Force base. Nationwide, 51,000 people have been evacuated due to the earthquake and tsunami warning.
Prime Minister Kishida Fumio said that authorities are assessing the extent of the damage, and people need to prepare for potential risks. "Everyone needs to be vigilant about the risk of further earthquakes, and those in areas under warning should evacuate as soon as possible," Kishida emphasized.
According to Japan's Nuclear Regulatory Authority, no unusual reactions were recorded at nuclear power plants along the Japanese coast. The Shika plant in Ishikawa, located near the epicenter, had temporarily shut down its reactors before the earthquake struck.
