Japan Earthquake Highlights: Death toll climbs to 48 as rescuers struggle to reach worst-hit areas in Ishikawa

In Suzu, a coastal town of just over 5,000 households near the quake's epicentre, up to 1,000 houses may have been destroyed, according to its mayor Masuhiro Izumiya.

"The situation is catastrophic," he said. (Reuters)

Residents in shopping malls and train stations caught the moment when a series of earthquakes struck Japan on New Year's Day.

Death toll from Japanese quakes rises to 48, the news agency Associated Press reported quoting government officials.

At least 30 people were killed after a powerful earthquake hit Japan on New Year's Day, with rescue teams struggling to reach isolated areas where buildings had been toppled, roads wrecked and power cut to tens of thousands of homes.

At least 3o people have been killed in Japan after a massive earthquake hit the country’s western coast on Monday, triggering tsunami waves and destroying hundreds of homes, damaging stretches of highways and causing suspension of bullet trains and flights.

The 7.6 magnitude earthquake hit central Japan in the middle of the afternoon on New Year’s Day, prompting tsunami alerts that forced thousands to evacuate their homes and flee to higher ground. As waves as high as 3.3 feet (1 metre) swept away cars and infrastructure of the island nation, several were left homeless, displaced, and awaiting rescue among the debris. (Read more)

"RRR" star Jr NTR today morning said he had returned from Japan and wished for its swift recovery after a series of powerful earthquakes hit the island country.

A powerful earthquake hit off the Noto Peninsula on Japan's northwest coast on Monday. (No audio in some parts of the video) (Source: NTV via APTN)

Tsunami (a Japanese word that means “harbour wave”) is a series of giant ocean waves caused by earthquakes or volcanic eruptions under the ocean. When an earthquake takes place under the ocean, a large chunk of the ocean floor can suddenly move upward or downward, leading to a sudden displacement of a large volume of water, thereby causing tsunami waves.

A similar thing can happen when a volcano erupts in the ocean. The lava flowing out of the volcano displaces the water around it and that water can become a large wave.

“Big tsunamis usually begin in the deep ocean, where a large volume of water can be displaced. As the wave moves closer to the shore, it grows taller as the ocean becomes shallower,” according to a report by NASA. (Read more)

At least 12 people have been killed in yesterday's earthquake, with local media reporting that more than a dozen deaths had been confirmed so far, mainly in the hard-hit town of Wajima near the quake's epicentre where a massive blaze broke out on Monday.

The national police agency said six people had been confirmed dead, and the fire and disaster management agency said 19 people were in a state of cardiac arrest, as per the news agency Reuters. 

A fire that broke out in central Wajima City, Ishikawa Prefecture, in the wake of the earthquake is believed to have burned down over 100 buildings, local media reports said. 

The local fire department said many buildings in the city center's famous Asaichi Street — many of them wooden shops — are believed to have been burned, reported local broadcaster NHK. 

Nobuko Sugimori, a 74-year-old resident of Nanao city in Ishikawa, told Reuters she had never experienced such a quake before.

“I tried to hold the TV set to keep it from toppling over, but I could not even keep myself from swaying violently from side to side," Sugimori said from her home which had a large crack down its front wall and furniture scattered around the inside.

Across the street, a car was crushed under a collapsed building where residents had another close call.

Fujiko Ueno, 73, said nearly 20 people were in her house for a New Year celebration when the quake struck but miraculously all emerged uninjured.

"It all happened in the blink of an eye" she said, standing in the street among debris from the wreckage and mud that oozed out of the road's cracked surface. (Reuters)

In response to the devastating earthquake and subsequent tsunami that struck north-central Japan earlier today, the Indian Embassy has established an emergency control room to provide assistance and support to those affected. The 7.6 magnitude earthquake has triggered urgent evacuation alerts in various coastal areas of Japan and in order to aid Indian nationals in distress, the embassy enlisted numbers and email IDs in an update on their X handle.

Japan is bracing for more aftershocks after a series of earthquakes triggered the highest level tsunami warning. Officials say the threat of a major tsunami has passed for now, but warn that more tremors could follow.

American President Joe Biden said in a statement the United States was ready to provide any necessary help to Japan after the earthquake.

"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. (Reuters)

Another earthquake warning issued in Ishikawa prefecture, says Reuters.

Japan Prime Minister Fumio Kishida Monday said that he had ordered the Self-Defence Force (SDF) personnel to reach the earthquake-hit areas by any means, local media broadcaster NHK reported. The broadcaster further quoted the Japan PM as saying that dispatching SDF forces to these regions would be difficult due to obstructions following the earthquakes. While stressing that people trapped in buildings need to be rescued before they collapse, Kishida ordered basic necessities to be sent via water routes.

About 33,000 households in Ishikawa, Niigata, and Fukui prefectures in Japan remained without power after an earthquake of 7.6 magnitude hit central regions in the country, local media broadcaster NHK reported. The broadcaster further said that multiple people were injured in these prefectures. Although officials are trying to determine the damage and casualties caused while carrying out rescue operations, the full extent of the aftermath remains uncertain.

The 'tsunami warning' earlier issued by the Japan Meteorological Agency in earthquake-hit areas has now been downgraded to a tsunami advisory, news agency Reuters reported citing local media broadcaster NHK. However, the agency has urged residents to exercise caution and remain alert, adding that earthquakes of similar intensity as the one that hit today are still a possibility for the week ahead.

The major telecom service providers in Japan continued to suffer from service disruptions in the prefectures hit by earthquakes, local broadcaster NHK reported. Fixed-line carrier NTT West said its internet and IP phone services may not be available in some areas of Ishikawa Prefecture, with its telecom facilities destroyed by the earthquake. NHK further reported concerns that emergency phone services in the areas are also down.

One man died in a building collapse in Shika town in the Ishikawa prefecture following the earthquake in Japan, as per Japan broadcaster NTV.

After a 7.6 magnitude earthquake struck central Japan Monday, scores of buildings were destroyed, knocking out power to tens of thousands of homes and prompting residents to evacuate some coastal areas. Fires broke out and army personnel were sent to affected areas to help with rescue operations, government spokesperson Yoshimasa Hayashi told reporters, adding that authorities were still assessing the damage. The extent of any injuries and deaths was unclear. Two people recovered from quake debris in Ishikawa prefecture were unresponsive, public broadcaster NHK reported. (Reuters inputs)

Japan Defence Minister Kihara Minoru Monday ordered Self-Defence Force personnel to the areas affected by the earthquakes for rescue operations. local media broadcaster NHK reported. The minister further said the ministry had not yet received a formal request for a disaster relief mission. 

An official from the Japan Meteorological Agency said that tsunamis are still being recorded in the country. The official urged the people residing in earthquake-hit areas to remain evacuated and in safe areas, news agency Reuters reported.

Fire department officials in Japan's Ishikawa prefecture said they received several calls from people who failed to escape from collapsed houses, local media broadcaster NHK reported. The officials, who are still assessing the extent of damage caused by the earthquakes, said they were overloaded by the number of people calling for help.

A tsunami measuring under one metre (3.3 ft) reached South Korea's east coast in the wake of a massive earthquake that hit Japan on Monday, South Korea's meteorological agency said, which added there may be more and larger waves in the next hours. Separately, North Korea issued tsunami warnings for its coast of possible waves of more than 2 metres, South Korea's Yonhap news agency reported, citing the North's state radio.

The first tsunami to reach South Korea's coast was 67 cm (2.2 ft) but it may increase in size after the initial waves and may continue for more than 24 hours, the meteorological agency said. South Korea's Gangwon province warned residents to take precautions and evacuate to higher ground, according to the Ministry of Interior and Safety. The east coast province told residents in emergency messages to stay away from the coast and evacuate to higher ground. The city of Samcheok advised residents to move to areas higher than a three-storey building, the ministry said. (Reuters)

After a series of strong quakes hit Japan, the fire deparment in Ishikawa prefecture's Wajima city received at least 30 reports of buildings collapsing, local media broadcaster NHK reported. The Japan Meteorological Agency has downgraded the 'major tsunami warning' issued for Ishikawa prefecture and nearby regions to a 'tsunami warning'.

After the Japan Meteorological Agency issued a tsunami warning following strong quakes jolting the country, government spokesman Yoshimasa Hayashi said it was critical for people in coastal areas to get away from the oncoming tsunami. “Every minute counts. Please evacuate to a safe area immediately,” he said. .A tsunami of about 3 meters (about 10 feet) high was expected to hit Niigata and other prefectures on the western coast of Japan. Smaller tsunami waves were already confirmed to have reached the coastline, according to NHK. (AP inputs)

Japan Meteorological Agency downgraded the 'major tsunami warning' issued for Ishikawa prefecture and nearby region to a 'tsunami warning', with officials still urging caution to the residents, as per local media broadcaster NHK.

After a 7.6-magnitude earthquake struck north-central Japan, residents witnessed tsunami waves hitting the coastal areas on Monday afternoon. Urgent evacuation warnings have been issued in several areas.

The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) has issued a major tsunami warning, which means there is a possibility of waves of more than 3 metres (9.84 ft).

Russia also issued tsunami warnings in its far eastern cities of Vladivostok and Nakhodka.

Some houses have been destroyed and army units have been dispatched to help with rescue operations, top government spokesperson Hayashi Yoshimasa told reporters, adding that authorities were still assessing the extent of the damage.

More strong quakes in the area, where seismic activity has been simmering for more than three years, could occur over coming days, JMA official Toshihiro Shimoyama said.

In comments to the press shortly after the quake struck, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida also warned residents to prepare for more disasters. Reuters

The Embassy of India in Tokyo, Japan, has set up an emergency control room for assistance in connection with the earthquakes and tsunami waves in the country. The emergency numbers and email ids for the same are listed below.

North Korea issued tsunami warnings for its east coast after a massive quake hit north central Japan on Monday, saying waves of up to 2.08 meters (6.8 ft) can reach its shore, Yonhap news reported citing the North's state radio. (Reuters)

In the wake of a massive earthquake that hit Japan Monday, the first tsunami reached South Korea's east coast at 0921 GMT at a height of 45 cm (1.5 ft), South Korea's meteorological agency said. The tsunami can grow after the initial waves and may continue for more than 24 hours, the agency said in an advisory. South Korea's Gangwon province warned residents to take precautions and evacuate to higher ground, according to the Ministry of Interior and Safety. South Korea's meteorological agency earlier said sea levels in some parts of the Gangwon province on the east coast may rise after an earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 7.6 hit north central Japan and it issued an advisory for caution. (Reuters)

The Japan Meteorological Agency has advised people residing in coastal areas and along rivers - where tsunami warnings have been issued - to evacuate immediately and move to safe areas, local media house NHK World reported. Shimoyama Toshihiro, head of the Department of Sesimology and Tsunami Research, Japan Meteorological Agency, said tsunami waves will hit repeatedly, so people should stay in safe areas until the warnings are lifted.

Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Hayashi Yoshimasa addressed a conference shortly after a 7.6 magnitude earthquake hit north-central Japan, confirming that no damage had been reported at the country's nuclear power plants, local media house NHK reported.  In addition to this, an official from the Japan Nuclear Regulation Authority said that so far, the plants have the necessary power and spent fuel rods can continue to be cooled, as per Reuters.

After a 7.6 magnitude earthquake hit north-central Japan Monday, the country's meteorological agency has issued another earthquake warning for the Ishikawa and Toyama prefectures, news agency Reuters reported. 

There is a risk of fires and landslides increasing in areas hit by earthquakes, according to an official from the Japan Meteorological Agency. 

? High-speed rail services to Ishikawa, the prefectures nearest to the epicentre of the quake, have been suspended.

? Telecom operators Softbank and KDDI reported phone and internet service disruptions in Ishikawa and Niigata, according to their websites.

? Japanese airline ANA turned back four planes headed to airports in Toyama and Ishikawa midair after the quake, while Japan Airlines cancelled most of the flight services to Niigata and Ishikawa regions for the rest of the day, according to TV Asahi.

? More than 36,000 households had lost power in Ishikawa and Toyama prefectures, utilities provider Hokuriku Electric Power said. (Reuters)

A Japan meteorological agency official said that residents need to be vigilant for more earthquakes with seismic intensity of 7 for about a week, especially for the next 2-3 days, as per the news agency Reuters. 

Russia today declared a tsunami warning in the far eastern cities of Vladivostok and Nakhodka, state news agency TASS reported, citing the cities' mayoralties.

A massive earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 7.6 struck central Japan on Monday, triggering tsunami warnings in Japan and on Russia's Sakhalin island. (Reuters)

Images showing damages caused by the 7.6 magnitude earthquake have emerged. Photos showed people gathering outside amid cracked roads and concrete debris. 

Russia's emergencies ministry said that parts of the western coast Sakhalin island, situated close to Japan on Russia's Pacific seaboard, were under threat of tsunami, and that the local population was being evacuated, state news agency TASS reported on Monday.

A massive earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 7.6 struck central Japan on Monday, triggering a tsunami warning and advisories for residents to evacuate. (Reuters)

In Ishikawa Prefecture's Suzu City, which is quite near the epicentre of the quake, officials told NHK that several houses and electricity poles have collapsed following the earthquake. 

"A guard at the city office in Ishikawa's Wajima City, which also registered an intensity of upper six, says all the shelves in the office collapsed. The guard says the building was not largely damaged, but the ground in front of it and several buildings fell down," said the NHK report.

Experts have warned residents of coastal areas that tsunami waves, especially those originating in the Sea of Japan, could continue hitting in a series and hence, evacuees need to stay alert and not return home unless told otherwise, as per local broadcaster NHK. They added that those driving vehicles while evacuating need to take care of as cracks have been observed on highways. 

The following map shows the alert issued by the Japan Meteorological Agency. It noted that the 7.6 earthquake took place at 4.10 pm local time at a "very shallow" depth (shallower quakes usually cause more damage). Its epicentre was at Noto in Ishikawa Prefecture.

In a statement on the official website in Japanese, the Prime Minister's office summed up PM Kishida's plan of action as follows: 

? Provide timely and accurate information to the public regarding tsunamis, evacuations, etc., and thoroughly implement damage prevention measures such as evacuation of residents.

? Immediately assess the damage situation.

? Stay in close cooperation with local governments, under the policy of putting human life first. The government will work together as one to make every effort to implement disaster response measures such as lifesaving and rescue of disaster victims.

Footage aired by NHK appeared to show buildings collapsing in Ishikawa, and tremors shook buildings in the capital Tokyo on the opposite coast. The quake continued for around 30 seconds, at least, as per eyewitnesses. 

Jordan Allen, who was in eastern Toyama Prefecture, celebrating New Year's day with his family when the earthquake struck, told The Japan Times that some drinking glasses and other items had fallen and broken around the home due to the tremors.

“I've lived in Japan for nine years and I've not felt anything like this before,” he told the paper.

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, in a televised address, asked citizens to follow evacuation orders closely and warned that more quakes and tsunami waves might follow the initial warning. He asked citizens to continue to stay alert and said that he is closely following the developments.

Hokuriku Electric Power said it is checking for any irregularities at its nuclear power plants, NHK reported.

A spokesperson for Kansai Electric Power said there were currently no abnormalities at its nuclear power plants but the company was monitoring the situation closely.

A huge earthquake and tsunami struck northeastern Japan on March 11, 2011, devastating towns and triggering nuclear meltdowns in Fukushima. (Reuters)

Local Japanese broadcaster NHK is issuing continuous warnings for residents to evacuate and said that tsunami waves have already been observed in several prefectures. 

It's a little after 5.10 pm in Japan currently.

As per local media, the tsunami warnings were issued at around 4.21 pm. Reports said that several aftershocks followed the initial earthquake.

"Waves of 80 cm reached Toyama Prefecture around 4.35 pm and waves of 40 meters also reached Kashiwazaki, Niigata Prefecture, at 4.36 pm. It also reached Niigata's Sado Island at 4.10 pm. The tsunami was also expected to hit Yamagata and Hyogo prefectures," as per a report in The Japan Times.

Japan has issued three levels of tsunami warnings to its residents in different prefectures (similar to our states or provinces). These are 'Major tsunami warning', 'Tsunami warning', and 'Tsunami advisory'. Here's what each of them means, as per local broadcaster NHK.

? Major tsunami warning: Very high waves are approaching the coasts. Evacuate immediately. Waves can hit repeatedly. Continue to evacuate until all warnings are lifted. 

? Tsunami warning: Tsunami waves are approaching the coasts. Evacuate as quickly as possible. Waves can hit repeatedly. Continue to evacuate until all warnings are lifted.

? Tsunami advisory: If you are in the affected areas, keep away from coasts and river mouths which could overflow. Continue to evacuate until all advisories are lifted.

South Korea's meteorological agency said on Monday the sea level in some parts of the Gangwon province on the east coast may rise after an earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 7.6 hit north central Japan. (Reuters)

Japan has issued another earthquake warning in the Ishikawa prefecture, reports local media house NHK.