Four persons Killed in powerful Japanese earthquakes

Four people have been confirmed dead from the powerful earthquake that rocked Japan’s western coastline Monday afternoon.

Japan’s meteorological agency reported more than a dozen quakes in the Japan Sea off the coast of Ishikawa and nearby prefectures. The largest had a magnitude of 7.6, started a fire and collapsed buildings on the west coast of Japan’s main island, Honshu.

At least six homes were damaged by the quakes, with people trapped inside, government spokesperson Yoshimasa Hayashi said. A fire broke out in the city of Wajima, Ishikawa Prefecture, and electricity was out for more than 30,000 households, he said.

U.S. President Joe Biden said the United States would provide any necessary assistance it could.

“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,” he said in a statement.

People stand next to large cracks in the pavement after evacuating into a street in the city of Wajima, Ishikawa prefecture of Japan on Jan. 1, 2024, after a major 7.5 magnitude earthquake struck the Noto region.

As Japanese authorities assessed the damage, officials ended the highest-level tsunami alert Monday night but told residents along its western coastline not to return to their homes, as deadly waves could still strike the region.

The Japanese meteorological agency initially issued a major tsunami warning for Ishikawa and lower-level tsunami warnings or advisories for the rest of the western coast of Honshu, as well as the northernmost of its main islands, Hokkaido.

Hours later, the warning was downgraded to a regular tsunami, meaning the waters could still reach up to 3 meters, and aftershocks could also strike the same area over the next few days, it said. Hayashi stressed that it was critical for residents in coastal areas to get away from possible tsunamis.

Japanese media footage showed people running through the streets and red smoke spewing from a fire in a residential neighborhood.

The earthquake struck off the coast of Ishikawa and was followed by at least 20 aftershocks in the following hours, with many of them at least a magnitude 5.

The meteorological agency reported a tsunami with waves of 1.2 meters hit the port of Wajima, with smaller tsunami waves hitting areas to the north and south.

Authorities warned that larger tsunamis could arrive after initial tsunamis reach the shore, and that more earthquakes are expected in the area.

A government spokesperson said there were no reported irregularities at any of the nuclear power plants near the epicenter.

Authorities closed some major highways near the epicenter, and bullet train services between Tokyo and Ishikawa were suspended for hours, although some service in the earthquake region was restored in the evening.

Russian officials issued a tsunami alert for the island of Sakhalin, located just north of Japan. There were also tsunami warnings for South Korea’s Gangwon province, as well as parts of North Korea. [VOA]