Japan lifts tsunami warnings but warns earthquake damage is 'extensive' | Earthquake news

At least 30 people have been reported dead since the 7.6 magnitude earthquake struck the West Coast on New Year's Day.

At least 30 people were reported dead after a massive earthquake struck the coast of central Japan on New Year's Day, and Prime Minister Fumio Kishida warned the damage was “extensive” and the death toll was likely to rise.

The 7.6-magnitude quake struck Monday afternoon near the Noto Peninsula in Ishikawa Prefecture, triggering the country's first major tsunami warning since the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami that left about 18,500 people dead or missing in the country's northeast. .

Speaking on Tuesday, Kishida said “serious damage” had been confirmed as the quake destroyed buildings and sparked fires.

He added that the victims were “many,” adding that rescuing the victims would be a “race against time.”

Authorities said damaged roads had hampered rescue efforts and that they were finding it difficult to assess the full extent of the repercussions.

However, the initial tsunami warning, which was later downgraded, was lifted on Tuesday morning.

In Suzu, a coastal town of just over 5,000 families located near the epicenter, as many as 1,000 homes may have been destroyed, according to its mayor, Masuhiro Izumiya.

He added: “The situation is catastrophic.”

Across Ishikawa Prefecture, authorities have confirmed 30 deaths so far, half of them in Wajima, another hard-hit city on the remote northern tip of the peninsula.

Official updates on the death toll were rare.

The Japanese Meteorological Bureau said that the country has been hit by 155 earthquakes since the first quake that occurred on Monday.

“swaying violently”

Wajima was hit by a tsunami of at least 1.2 meters (4 feet) high, and aerial news footage showed the devastation caused by a large fire with the collapse of a seven-story building in the port.

The fire swept through a row of houses and residents were evacuated in the dark, some carrying blankets and others carrying children.

Nobuko Sugimori, 74, a resident of Nanao City in Ishikawa, said she had never experienced such an earthquake before.

“I tried to grab the TV to prevent it from falling, but I couldn't even stop myself from swinging violently from side to side,” Sugimori told Reuters news agency from her home, which suffered a large crack in the front wall. Furniture is scattered inside.

Across the road, 73-year-old Fujiko Ueno was counting her blessings.

She said nearly 20 people were at her house to celebrate the New Year when the quake struck but no one was injured.

“It all happened in the blink of an eye,” she said, standing in the street among the debris and mud seeping from the cracked road.

Nearly 100,000 people were evacuated in nine prefectures and spent the night in gymnasiums and school gymnasiums, which are usually used as emergency evacuation centers in Japan.

Nearly 33,000 homes remained without power in Ishikawa Prefecture early Tuesday morning, according to the Hokuriku Electric Power website. Most areas in the north of the Noto Peninsula also remained without water, NHK said.

As a result of the disaster, the Imperial Household Agency canceled the New Year's appearance of Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako, which was expected to take place on Tuesday.

Japan's closest allies sent their condolences over the disaster and said they stood ready to help.

“As close allies, the United States and Japan share a deep bond of friendship that unites our peoples. Our thoughts are with the Japanese people during this difficult time,” US President Joe Biden said in a statement.

French President Emmanuel Macron expressed his “solidarity”, while Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni offered condolences and assistance.

UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said he was following developments.

He said: “My thoughts are with all those affected by the earthquakes in Japan, which caused such catastrophic damage.”