A series of major earthquakes has struck Japan, leading to at least eight deaths and prompting tsunami warnings that were later lifted. The largest of the quakes had a magnitude of 7.6 and left thousands injured, with many people still trapped under collapsed buildings.
Japan’s Prime Minister, Fumio Kishida, has declared the country to be in a “battle against time” to rescue those affected by the disaster. The worst-hit area is the relatively remote Noto peninsula, where one thousand army personnel have been dispatched for rescue operations. However, efforts are being hindered by badly damaged and blocked roads, as well as by the closure of a local airport due to runway cracks.
In Wajima city, fires are still blazing and have destroyed over 100 homes and other buildings. The Asachi-dori street, known for its wooden buildings and popular with visitors, has been particularly affected by the quakes.
The affected areas are now facing the threat of aftershocks, and residents of coastal areas have been advised not to return home despite the lifting of tsunami warnings. Bullet trains and flights in and out of the region have been suspended, and sections of major highways remain closed.
The international community has extended support to Japan, with UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak stating that the UK is ready to assist and US President Joe Biden expressing readiness to provide necessary assistance.
Japan, known for being the most quake-prone nation in the world, has not faced a tsunami warning of this magnitude since the devastating quake and tsunami in 2011, which resulted in the deaths of 18,000 people and triggered nuclear meltdowns at the Fukushima Daiichi plant. The country has since mothballed nearly all of its nuclear power plants. Nuclear regulators have reported no abnormal rises in radiation levels or anomalies at the reactors along the nearby coastline.
The situation in Japan remains critical as rescue efforts continue amidst the destruction caused by the powerful earthquakes.