Japan Earthquake Toll Hits 48 as Aftershocks Continue; Significant Damage Reported in Ishikawa Prefecture

Japan Earthquake Toll Hits 48 as Aftershocks Continue; Significant Damage Reported in Ishikawa Prefecture

Asif Iqbal | January 2, 2024 | 06:45 PM IST | Earthquake, Japan, World | Follow on Google News

Japan Earthquake Toll Hits 48 as Aftershocks Continue; Significant Damage Reported in Ishikawa Prefecture.image/ANI

Japan Earthquake Toll Hits 48 as Aftershocks Continue; Significant Damage Reported in Ishikawa Prefecture

The impact of a series of earthquakes that struck Japan on New Year’s Day has escalated, reaching a toll of 48 on Tuesday, as per NHK World’s latest update.

Numerous injuries have been reported across several prefectures, including Ishikawa, Niigata, Fukui, Toyama, and Gifu, according to NHK World.

The seismic disturbance, registering a magnitude of 7.5, startled central Japan’s Ishikawa Prefecture on the evening of New Year’s Day, catching many residents by surprise.

Wajima City bore the brunt, with 25 buildings, including houses, collapsing, as reported by NHK World. Firefighters are actively engaged in ongoing rescue operations at various locations. Meanwhile, a fire that erupted in Kawai Town on Monday, located at the city’s center, is no longer deemed a spreading threat. Firefighters continue their efforts to extinguish the remaining flames.

Around Asaichi Street, a popular tourist area, approximately 200 buildings, comprising shops and houses, are estimated to have succumbed to the blaze.

The United States Geological Survey pinpointed the earthquake’s epicenter on the Noto Peninsula of Ishikawa prefecture around 4:10 pm (local time), at a depth of 10 kilometers (6 miles).

Officials caution that the region may experience strong aftershocks in the coming week, particularly over the next two to three days, NHK World reports. The quake’s repercussions extend beyond Ishikawa, affecting several other prefectures. Hospitals and authorities in Niigata and Toyoma, among others, have reported dozens of injuries.

The Meteorological Agency noted over 100 subsequent tremors in the region since the initial quake.

In response to the seismic activity, the Hokuriku Electric Power Company has shut down two generators at its Nanao Ota thermal power plant in Ishikawa Prefecture, resulting in over 44,000 households in the prefecture facing power outages, as per officials.

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Asif Iqbal

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