Japan Races Against Time to Rescue Survivors Amid Rising Death Toll from Earthquake
Japan grappled with the aftermath of a powerful earthquake that struck its west coast on Monday, resulting in casualties, extensive damage to buildings and roads, and widespread power outages amid freezing temperatures. The quake, with a preliminary magnitude of 7.6, hit in the middle of the afternoon, prompting residents in coastal areas to seek higher ground as tsunami waves of about one meter affected Japan's western seaboard.
Emergency response teams, including thousands of army personnel, firefighters, and police officers from across the country, were swiftly dispatched to the hardest-hit region, the Noto peninsula. However, rescue efforts faced significant challenges due to badly damaged and blocked roads. Moreover, an airport in the area had to close due to runway cracks, suspending many rail services and flights.
During an emergency disaster meeting on Tuesday, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida emphasized the urgency of the search and rescue mission, highlighting the difficulties in reaching the northern tip of the Noto peninsula. Helicopter surveys revealed numerous fires and widespread damage to buildings and infrastructure, adding to the complexity of the relief efforts.
Reports from the hard-hit town of Wajima indicated eight confirmed deaths, with difficulties accessing medical facilities in nearby Suzu due to damaged infrastructure. The national police agency reported six confirmed deaths, while the fire and disaster management agency noted 19 individuals in a state of cardiac arrest.
Since the initial quake on Monday, over 90 tremors have been recorded, with the Japan Meteorological Agency warning of possible strong aftershocks in the coming days. A magnitude 5.6 quake shook the area while Prime Minister Kishida addressed the public on Tuesday.
The disaster disrupted daily life in Toyama city, approximately 100 kilometers from the worst-affected area, leading to empty shelves in convenience stores as goods deliveries were hindered. The Japanese government issued evacuation orders for over 97,000 people, providing temporary shelter in sports halls and school gymnasiums. While some residents returned home as tsunami warnings were lifted, around 33,000 households in Ishikawa prefecture remained without power, and water supply issues persisted in most northern areas of the Noto peninsula.
In response to the crisis, the Imperial Household Agency canceled Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako's scheduled New Year appearance. Dramatic images from the disaster zone showed smoke and flames in Wajima city, where at least 30 buildings collapsed, and similar scenes were reported in the coastal city of Suzu.
The earthquake's impact extended beyond Japan, with tsunami warnings issued for parts of South Korea, North Korea, and Russia. South Korea's Gangwon province urged residents to take precautions and evacuate to higher ground. While Japan is accustomed to seismic activity, the magnitude of Monday's earthquake prompted the first major tsunami warning since the devastating 2011 quake and tsunami that led to nuclear plant meltdowns. As of now, authorities reported no irregularities at nuclear plants in the affected area, and radiation levels remained stable.
