Japanese rescuers are working tirelessly amid powerful aftershocks to locate survivors following a major earthquake on New Year’s Day that claimed at least 30 lives and caused widespread destruction. The 7.5-magnitude quake, centred in Ishikawa prefecture on Honshu, triggered tsunami waves, toppled buildings, ignited fires, and led to road disintegration.
As daylight revealed the extent of the devastation on the Noto Peninsula, buildings continued to burn, houses lay flattened, fishing boats were wrecked, and highways suffered landslides. Witnesses described the earthquake as a powerful jolt, leaving towns like Shika in shock.
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida acknowledged the extensive damage and casualties, urging urgent search and rescue efforts. Aerial footage displayed a massive fire in Wajima, where a seven-story commercial building collapsed.
The death toll, initially set at 30, is anticipated to rise. Nearly 33,000 households are without power, and freezing temperatures exacerbate the challenges. Many cities face water shortages.
The US Geological Survey reported a magnitude of 7.5, while Japan’s meteorological agency measured it at 7.6, one of over 150 quakes in the region that morning. Tsunami warnings were lifted, and bullet trains were suspended. Terrifying images circulated on social media, depicting wobbling structures and frightened individuals seeking refuge in shops and train stations.
Rescue teams, facing overwhelming demands, navigated collapsed buildings and fires to locate survivors. Evacuations occurred in Wajima, with houses collapsing, roads cracking, and landslides impacting the region.
Governor Hiroshi Hase of Ishikawa highlighted widespread road cuts due to landslides, while in the port of Suzu, multiple vessels capsized. Evacuation orders impacted 62,000 people, and about 1,000 sought refuge at a military base.
Defence Minister Minoru Kihara confirmed the military deployment, with 1,000 personnel ready and 20 aircraft dispatched for damage assessment. Major highways were closed, bullet train services suspended, and airports damaged, leaving hundreds stranded.