At least 48 dead after Japan earthquake

Western Japan was struck by a series of potent earthquakes, resulting in the deaths of at least 48 people and causing extensive damage to thousands of buildings, vehicles, and boats. In the aftermath, officials in some areas have cautioned residents on Tuesday to avoid returning to their homes due to the risk of additional strong earthquakes.

The region, particularly Ishikawa prefecture and its surroundings, continued to experience aftershocks following the initial magnitude 7.6 earthquake that occurred on Monday afternoon. In Ishikawa alone, 48 fatalities were confirmed, with an additional 16 people suffering serious injuries. The extent of damage to residences was so significant that a comprehensive assessment was challenging.

Reports from Japanese media indicated that tens of thousands of homes were destroyed. Government spokesperson Yoshimasa Hayashi reported 17 serious injuries and a slightly lower death count, but acknowledged the prefecture’s figures.

Essential services such as water, power, and cellphone networks were disrupted in some areas. Residents, facing the destruction of their homes and uncertain futures, expressed their sorrow and concerns. One resident, Miki Kobayashi, described the extensive damage to her home, noting it was also affected by a quake in 2007.

In response, Japan’s military deployed 1,000 soldiers to assist in rescue operations, as stated by Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on Tuesday. Kishida emphasized the urgency of rescuing individuals trapped in homes.

During Kishida’s address, another quake with a preliminary magnitude of 5.6 hit the Ishikawa area. Firefighters successfully controlled a fire in Wajima city, while nuclear regulators confirmed that several nuclear plants in the region were functioning normally.

News footage showed the devastation, including collapsed houses and overturned cars. Tsunami waves left muddy coastlines and half-sunken ships in bays.

The Japan Meteorological Agency issued a major tsunami warning for Ishikawa and lower-level advisories for other western coastal areas of Honshu and Hokkaido. The warning was later downgraded, and all tsunami alerts were lifted by early Tuesday, though waves over one meter high struck some regions. The agency warned of the possibility of more significant quakes in the coming days.

Evacuees sought shelter in various public facilities, while bullet train services were mostly resumed by Tuesday afternoon. Weather forecasts of rain raised concerns about further damage to weakened buildings and infrastructure.

The affected region, known for its tourist attractions and cultural heritage sites, received an offer of assistance from U.S. President Joe Biden.

Japan, located along the “Ring of Fire,” frequently experiences earthquakes. In the last day alone, the country has endured about a hundred aftershocks.