Tokyo, Jan 2: Several powerful earthquakes struck central Japan and surrounding areas, including a major earthquake measuring 7.6 on the Richter scale, the death toll rose to 24, according to authorities on Tuesday. The earthquake occurred at a shallow depth on the Noto Peninsula in Ishikawa Prefecture, with at least 155 earthquakes reported since Monday.
The JMA (Japan Meteorological Agency ) officially named it the 2024 Noto Peninsula earthquake. One male victim, including a teenager, was reported injured in a massive fire around the famous tourist destination Wajima morning market in Wajima town, which gutted around 200 buildings. Building collapses and people being buried were reported in various municipalities.
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida described the rescue effort as a battle against time and announced the dispatch of Self-Defense Force troops to provide assistance. Tsunami waves of up to 4 feet were seen in areas along the western coast of the country. The power outage affected about 45,700 homes in Ishikawa Prefecture.
Four bullet trains that were stranded between Toyama and Kanazawa have resumed service after more than 11 hours. Located on the Pacific Ring of Fire, Japan is vulnerable to seismic activity. The 2011 earthquake and tsunami in Japan resulted in massive loss of life and property and a nuclear explosion at the Fukushima power plant.
