Death toll rises to 6 after 7.5 magnitude earthquakes in Japan, what we know so far
The massive earthquake caused several buildings to collapse, fires broke out and post-earthquake tsunami warnings were sent as far away as eastern Russia, while people in Japan’s coastal areas were ordered to evacuate.
TokyoThe death toll has risen to six after a powerful 7.5 magnitude earthquake struck Japan on Monday, NHK World reported. The United States Geological Survey reported that the earthquake occurred on the Noto Peninsula in Ishikawa Prefecture around 4:10 PM local time, with a depth of 10 kilometers (6 miles).
The massive earthquake caused several buildings to collapse, fires broke out and post-earthquake tsunami warnings were sent as far away as eastern Russia, while people in Japan’s coastal areas were ordered to evacuate.
Meanwhile, a massive fire broke out in the central Japanese city of Wajima on Monday evening after the earthquake shook the area and more than 100 shops and houses were destroyed due to the blaze, NHK World reported.
According to the Nuclear Regulation Authority, there was an explosion and a burning stench at the Shika nuclear power plant in Ishikawa Prefecture.
The operator claimed a transformer failed, but backup mechanisms allow the two nuclear reactors to continue functioning as intended. Major mobile phone providers in Japan claim their services are being disrupted in the earthquake-hit prefectures, NHK World reported.
Following the earthquake that struck Japan on Monday, some Shinkansen bullet train services have been suspended, CNN reported citing train operator JR East. According to train operator JR East, the JR Hokuriku and Joetsu Shinkansen lines have been suspended from 6:50 PM (local time). It further said services on other lines are also experiencing delays.
Japan’s PM Office also issued instructions in light of the urgent situation. It asked officials to provide timely and accurate information to the public about the tsunami and evacuation and to take thorough measures to prevent damage, such as evacuating residents. “Assess the status of the damage as quickly as possible,” it reads.
Japan’s PM Office further asked officials to act in close coordination with local governments and according to the principle of prioritizing human life above all else.
“Make every effort in our disaster relief efforts, including saving lives and rescuing disaster victims, with the government working together as one,” it added.
Meanwhile, the Indian Embassy in Japan has set up an emergency department that anyone can contact in view of the January 1 earthquake and tsunami warnings. It has provided emergency contact numbers to Indian citizens following a strong warning of earthquakes and tsunamis in Japan.
In a statement shared on mail ids for any help.”
The earthquake occurred at 4:10 PM (local time), 42 km northeast of Anamizu, Japan. According to the USGS, the depth was reported at 10 km. It also shook buildings in central Tokyo. Waves of 80 cm reached Toyama Prefecture at around 4:35 p.m. and waves of 40 meters also reached Kashiwazaki, Niigata Prefecture at 4:36 p.m., according to NHK World.
It also reached Niigata’s Sado Island at 4:10 p.m. The tsunami warning urged people to quickly leave the coastal areas of Ishikawa, Niigata, Toyama and Yamagata prefectures, with waves of more than 1.2 meters reaching the Noto Peninsula’s Wajima Port in Ishikawa.
(With inputs from ANI)