At least 62 people were killed in a tsunami and fire triggered by a strong earthquake in Japan, and rescue efforts are intensive
On January 1, 2024, a 7.5-magnitude earthquake struck Ishikawa Prefecture on the island of Honshu, Japan, triggering a tsunami more than one meter high that spread to the Noto Peninsula on the coast of the Sea of Japan, causing buildings in many towns to be engulfed in flames, houses to collapse, and roads to break. So far, 62 people have died and hundreds are injured or missing. Rescuers are struggling to find survivors, while authorities warn that continued heavy rains could lead to landslides and increase the damage.
The earthquake was the strongest in Japan in recent years, with an epicenter at a depth of 10 kilometers and an epicenter in the city of Shibishima in Ishikawa Prefecture, about 300 kilometers from the capital Tokyo. In the aftermath of the earthquake, the Japan Meteorological Agency issued a tsunami warning and asked coastal residents to evacuate quickly to high ground. Unfortunately, the tsunami hit several ports and coastal areas of the Noto Peninsula in a short period of time, including the cities of Shinashima and Suzusu, causing severe damage and casualties. The tsunami also sparked a massive fire that lasted for hours and burned hundreds of buildings, including a historic wooden temple. Firefighters struggled to extinguish the fire under the influence of strong winds and aftershocks.
The impact of the earthquake and tsunami also caused serious damage to the infrastructure of the Noto Peninsula, including electricity, communications, water supply, transportation, etc. Many roads have been cracked or buried by mudslides, making it impassable for rescue vehicles. Rescuers had to use helicopters or boats to move stranded residents to safety. At the same time, rescuers are digging up collapsed houses, looking for survivors who may be buried in the rubble. As temperatures plummeted, relief workers also provided blankets, food, water and medical supplies to protect them from the threat of cold and hunger.
The earthquake and tsunami reminded us once again that Japan is a country prone to earthquakes and needs to be prepared for disasters at all times. The Japanese government has activated an emergency response mechanism, dispatched thousands of Self-Defense Forces and police to the relief effort, and provided economic and material assistance to the affected areas. At the same time, the Japanese Government also appeals for the support and assistance of the international community to restore normal life in the disaster areas as soon as possible. We express our condolences to the victims, our condolences to the survivors, our respect to the rescuers, and hope that the peninsula will soon be able to rebuild their homes and restore hope.