Powerful earthquakes in Japan: More victims, 100 thousand people evacuated
Powerful earthquakes in Japan, number of victims increased (photo: Getty Images)
A powerful earthquake hit the northwestern coast of Japan, near the Noto Peninsula, followed by more than 50 aftershocks. At least four people died as a result. Tens of thousands of people were evacuated, according to Bloomberg.
According to the U.S. Geological Survey, it was the strongest earthquake in the region in more than four decades. Houses were destroyed, fires broke out, and military personnel were sent to help with rescue operations.
In particular, a large fire broke out in the city of Wajima after a magnitude 7.6 tremor, engulfing several buildings. Later, the town was also hit by a tsunami of at least 1.2 meters in height, which resulted from the earthquake.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi said that six cases of collapsed buildings with trapped people were reported. According to the Ishikawa Prefectural Government, four deaths were confirmed.
The Japanese government said that as of Monday evening, it had ordered the evacuation of more than 97,000 people in nine prefectures on the west coast of Japan's main island of Honshu. They were sent to spend the night in gyms and schools, which are usually used as evacuation centers in emergencies.
Background
According to Sky News, more than 100 earthquakes were recorded in Japan on January 1. According to the media, the Tokyo Meteorological Agency counted more than a hundred aftershocks with a magnitude of 2.9 to 7.6 on the island.
U.S. President Joe Biden has already said that his country is ready to help those affected by the earthquake in Japan.
