Massive Quake Strikes Central Japan
A powerful earthquake, registering a preliminary magnitude of 7.6, rocked central Japan, triggering a chain of events that included multiple aftershocks and tsunami warnings.
The seismic activity commenced shortly after 4 pm local time, with a total of 21 quakes exceeding a magnitude of 4.0.
The impact was swift and severe, notably felt in Ishikawa prefecture, where the first significant waves hit the Wajima port at 4:21 pm local time, prompting urgent evacuations along the western coastline.
Impacts and Evacuations
The tremors ravaged several areas, with Suzu, close to the epicenter, witnessing buildings collapsing and roads fracturing.
In Ishikawa prefecture’s worst-hit city, Wajima, a massive fire broke out, engulfing a commercial building and compounding the disaster.
As rescuers rushed to aid trapped residents amid collapsed houses, the government reported at least six such incidents.
Amid the chaos, nearly 40,000 households grappled with power outages, adding to the widespread disruption.
Tsunami Alerts and International Concern
Japan’s nuclear power facilities, however, showed no irregularities, offering a sliver of relief amidst the unfolding crisis.
Meanwhile, neighboring countries like South Korea, North Korea, and parts of Russia faced their own tsunami alerts, heightening regional tensions and concerns.
The scale of the earthquake also prompted warnings in North Korea, with expectations of waves reaching up to 2.08 meters along its east coast.
International Response and Regional Precautions
Russia’s far eastern regions, including Sakhalin Island and the Primorsk and Khabarovsk areas, were placed on high alert.
The Primorsk region’s port city of Vladivostok issued urgent advisories for ships to return to shore, emphasizing the gravity of the situation.
South Korea’s Gangwon province took precautionary measures, urging residents to seek higher ground amidst predictions of potential sea-level rises along its eastern coast.
Ongoing Updates
As the situation unfolds, the global community remains on edge, closely monitoring updates and responses in the wake of this catastrophic earthquake in Japan.