2024-01-02 01:20:16
A powerful earthquake of magnitude 7.6 on the Richter scale shook central Japan on Monday, with a preliminary toll of six dead, destruction of buildings, power outages and the evacuation of more than 10,000 people due to the risk of big swells.
The earthquake, which was felt even in Tokyo, occurred on the Noto peninsula at 4:10, was followed by several violent earthquakes that caused waves more than a meter high in some areas, so the authorities ordered the population evacuate and go to higher ground.
Initially, the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) estimated that the tremor had been of magnitude 7.4 on the Richter scale, although it later revised the magnitude upward by two tenths.
The Ishikawa prefecture, located on the Sea of Japan side and the most affected by landslides, confirmed the death of four people this Monday due to the powerful earthquake. Two other people were later reported dead.
The quake caused waves along the coast of Japan and neighboring South Korea, and authorities say larger waves could occur. The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) issued tsunami warnings for Ishikawa, Niigata and Toyama prefectures.
It is the strongest earthquake in the region in more than four decades, according to data from the United States Geological Survey (USGS).
Russia and North Korea also issued temporary tsunami warnings for some areas, which were later deactivated. No significant storm surges were reported on the Pacific coast of Latin America.
Government spokesman Yoshimasa Hayashi said the quake destroyed homes and caused fires, prompting the army to intervene in rescue missions.
Defense Minister Minoru Kihara reported that 1,000 soldiers are prepared to go to the region and that another 8,500 have been mobilized. Authorities also used 20 military planes to survey the damage.
The transportation authority closed highways in the area near the epicenter and Japan Railways announced that high-speed trains between Tokyo and Ishikawa prefecture were interrupted.
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