Moscow, January 2 – The death toll from a series of earthquakes in Japan’s Ishikawa Prefecture has risen to 30, according to local authorities cited by NHK television. The city of Wajima has been the hardest hit, with 15 casualties. Earlier reports had indicated 24 fatalities. The number of injured is estimated to be in the tens, with people potentially trapped under the rubble of collapsed buildings.
The powerful earthquakes occurred on the west coast of Japan on the first day of the new year. They have been dubbed the “Noto Peninsula Earthquakes.” In total, about 30 earthquakes were recorded in the Ishikawa and Niigata prefectures within a two-hour span, with the most powerful one measuring 7.6 in magnitude. Strong tremors were felt in Osaka, Kyoto, and Tokyo.
According to the Japan Meteorological Agency, this earthquake is the strongest the Noto Peninsula region has experienced since 1885. Throughout the day, 87 aftershocks with a magnitude of over two on the Japanese scale were recorded in the region. Seismologists predict that aftershocks may continue for approximately a week.
Following the earthquakes, a tsunami threat was declared along the entire west coast of Japan, but it was lifted on the morning of January 2. The underground tremors caused building damage and the suspension of high-speed train services, leaving over 32,000 homes without electricity. Some regions are experiencing disruptions in water supply and communication. Road damages have also been reported, but no issues have been detected at nuclear power plants.
This series of earthquakes has brought devastation to Ishikawa Prefecture, leaving communities in shock and mourning the loss of loved ones. The government and emergency services are working tirelessly to provide assistance and support to those affected. The long-term impact of this natural disaster on the region’s infrastructure and economy is yet to be determined.
