A series of powerful earthquakes on Japan’s west coast prompted tsunami warnings and caused damage on New Year’s Day. The disaster apparently claimed two lives. A crisis team will meet in the coming hours.
Two people were found without signs of life in Nanao on the hard-hit Noto Peninsula on the Sea of Japan, Japanese television channel NHK reported late Monday evening (local time). According to local media reports, several people were injured.
According to Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, the worst-hit areas are difficult to access for rescue workers because many roads were destroyed by the 7.6 magnitude earthquake.
Situation still dangerous
Japanese television channels reported tidal waves of more than one meter. People were urged to seek safety on high ground or in buildings. The highest tsunami warning was later lowered again.
The residents of the coast are not allowed to return to their homes for the time being. Tsunami warnings were subsequently also issued on the Korean Peninsula opposite Japan and in eastern Russia.
Houses collapsed
According to TV channels, dozens of houses in Japan have collapsed due to the heavy tremors. The government reported six cases in the town of Wajima on the Noto Peninsula, with people buried alive under rubble. A major fire also broke out in the city. The government has set up a crisis team. However, there were no irregularities in the nuclear power plants.
Buildings in the vicinity of the capital Tokyo of millions of people also started to sway. High-speed trains were temporarily stopped. The National Meteorological Agency warned this week of further strong earthquakes, especially in the next two or three days.
Source: Krone
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