2024-01-01 23:17:00
Japan is hit by a powerful earthquake. This is what you should know
A damaged road near Kanazawa Hokuryo High School in Kanazawa, Japan, on January 1, 2024 (Credit: Kyodo News via Getty Images)
A powerful 7.5 magnitude earthquake struck western Japan on Monday afternoon, causing tsunami waves and damage to roads, power, transport services and infrastructure.
Japanese officials warned residents of affected areas to evacuate to higher ground, while 1,000 Self-Defense Forces military personnel were sent to assist in rescue and recovery efforts.
Here are the latest developments:
Earthquake: with a depth of 10 kilometers, it occurred at 4:10 p.m. local time about 42 kilometers northeast of Anamizu in Ishikawa Prefecture, according to the United States Geological Survey. Several aftershocks were reported in western Japan, the USGS said, including a magnitude 6.2 aftershock about 4 kilometers southwest of Anamizu.
Tsunami warnings: Authorities issued tsunami warnings to residents of western Japan. Tsunami warnings are issued when waves are expected to reach up to 3 metres. Tsunami waves of around 1.2 meters were recorded in the city of Wajima, Japanese public broadcaster NKH said. Waves of less than 1 meter were recorded in and around the city of Toyama, while the city of Noto remained under a tsunami warning.
Damage to infrastructure: Monday’s earthquake washed out highways in western Japan, collapsing buildings, starting fires and disrupting communications. According to NHK, up to 33,000 homes could be affected by power outages, Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Hayashi Yoshimasa said.
Transportation disruption: At least five highways have been closed and several flights canceled at airports in Ishikawa Prefecture. Two flights were canceled at Noto airport, where there is a crack in the runway. A flight from Tokyo landed early but returned to the capital. There were 15 cancellations at Komatsu Airport. Schools were not in operation, but 21 school facilities are being converted into evacuation centers.
Rescue and recovery efforts: At least 8,500 military personnel are on standby to help with emergency efforts after the earthquake, Japan’s Defense Minister Minoru Kihara said. Health officials in the city of Suzu said some doctors were unable to treat injured patients because damaged roads prevented them from traveling to work.
Scenes of trapped residents: Civilians screamed in videos posted on social media after entire houses were razed to the ground in western Japan. In another video, people ducked under tables at a local bowling alley, where tremors shook the infrastructure and television screens could be seen shaking from the ceiling. “My city is in a terrible state,” one person said in a video posted from Noto. “I hope there’s no fire.”
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