Japanese authorities are grappling with the aftermath of a powerful 7.6-magnitude earthquake that struck Ishikawa prefecture, resulting in significant devastation, claiming at least 62 lives as of January 3. The quake, occurring on Monday, shook Honshu’s main island, unleashing tsunami waves over a meter high and causing substantial damage.
The impact was most severe on the Noto peninsula, where several towns, including Wajima and Suzu, witnessed flattened homes and ravaged buildings. A major fire ensued, roads were torn apart, and the landscape faced significant alterations, as revealed by satellite images released on Wednesday.
While Japan has lifted tsunami warnings, the earthquake’s aftermath remains a cause for concern. The regional government also confirmed 62 fatalities and over 300 injuries, with 20 individuals in critical condition. The toll is anticipated to rise as rescuers grapple with hundreds of recorded aftershocks and inclement weather, hindering their efforts to search for victims potentially trapped under the rubble.
More than 31,800 individuals sought refuge in shelters, while reports from Japanese media suggest tens of thousands of homes have been destroyed. Landslides and heavy rain warnings add to the challenges facing rescuers in their ongoing search for survivors.
The nation continues to mobilize resources and aid as it navigates the fallout of this calamitous event.
