Death toll climbs: 7.6 magnitude earthquake hits Japan

A powerful earthquake of magnitude 7.6 hit west-central Japan. A major tsunami warning was issued.

At 4:10 p.m. local time on Jan. 1, 2024, violent tremors were felt on the Noto peninsula on the north coast of Japan's main island. The first waves hit the coast, and evacuations were underway.

This was the strongest earthquake to hit the north-eastern tip of the Noto peninsula for several years.

It all happened in the late afternoon. Four minutes before the main tremor, the first earthquake of magnitude 5.5 occurred, while after the 7.6 magnitude quake, more than 20 earthquakes of magnitude four or greater occurred near the epicenter.

Numerous homes and infrastructure collapsed near the source of the quake. One building collapsed, trapping six people under the rubble. The risk is higher in this area due to its more rural character, being less compliant with the new seismic standards.

Immediately after the tremors, a tsunami warning was issued, forcing residents closest to the epicenter in Ishikawa to take refuge on higher ground. It was said to be the first such warning since 2011 when waves reached heights of 40 m.

Waves of 3 to 5 feet (1 to 1.5 meters) high hit the west coast of the Japanese island, without causing any significant damage to nuclear power plants, according to the authorities.

With roads severely damaged, emergency services are still finding it difficult to treat those injured in the quake. According to information provided by the tsunami warning and monitoring services, it would appear that the threat has now been averted.

A Japan Airlines passenger jet caught fire Tuesday on the runway at Tokyo’s Haneda Airport after colliding with a Japanese coast guard plane that was set to head west to bring supplies to earthquake victims. Five of the six crew members of the coast guard plane were killed in the crash. No fatalities were reported aboard the passenger jet, but 17 were injured.

So far 48 fatalities have been reported, with the death toll expected to climb as people remain trapped or missing.