48 Dead and Thousands of Buildings Damaged in Powerful Earthquakes in Western Japan
WAJIMA, Japan – A series of powerful earthquakes struck western Japan, resulting in the death of at least 48 people and causing extensive damage to buildings, vehicles, and boats. Officials are warning residents in some areas to stay away from their homes due to the risk of further strong quakes.
Aftershocks Continue to Shake Ishikawa Prefecture
A magnitude 7.6 temblor hit Ishikawa prefecture and nearby areas on Monday afternoon, with aftershocks continuing to shake the region. Thirty people have been confirmed dead in Ishikawa, while fourteen others are seriously injured. Tens of thousands of homes have been destroyed, according to Japanese media reports.
Scenes from the M7.5 earthquake that hit central Japan on January 1, 2024pic.twitter.com/AvuhhUfj6h
— Massimo (@Rainmaker1973) January 3, 2024
Rescue Efforts and Damage Assessment
Japan’s military has dispatched 1,000 soldiers to assist in rescue efforts. Prime Minister Fumio Kishida emphasized the importance of saving lives and stated that it is critical to rescue those trapped in homes immediately. Damage to homes is so extensive that it cannot be immediately assessed.
Infrastructure and Services Disrupted
Water, power, and cellphone service remain down in some areas. Residents are expressing sorrow over their destroyed homes and uncertain futures. Highways have been closed, and bullet train services were halted but mostly restored by Tuesday afternoon. Weather forecasters are predicting rain, raising concerns about the stability of already crumbling buildings and infrastructure.
Japan’s Vulnerability to Earthquakes
Japan is frequently hit by earthquakes due to its location along the “Ring of Fire,” an arc of volcanoes and fault lines in the Pacific Basin. The country has experienced about a hundred aftershocks in the last day alone.
U.S. President Joe Biden has expressed readiness to provide any necessary assistance to the Japanese people.