2024-01-02 02:08:01
NANAO, Japan (AP) — A series of strong earthquakes shook western Japan, killing at least four people and damaging buildings, vehicles and boats, and authorities warned residents in some areas Tuesday that to stay away from their homes due to the risk of more large earthquakes.
Aftershocks continued to shake Ishikawa Prefecture and nearby areas a day following a magnitude 7.6 tremor struck the area on Monday followingnoon.
Four people were confirmed dead in Ishikawa, according to prefectural officials. Police said they were investigating two other deaths. Public broadcaster NHK reported at least eight dead and 30 injured, including people who fell while trying to flee.
“Saving lives is our priority and we are fighting a battle once morest time,” declared Prime Minister Fumio Kishida. “It is crucial that people trapped in homes are rescued immediately.”
The Japanese military was sent to the disaster areas to join the rescue efforts, he said.
Firefighters continued to battle a fire in the city of Wajima that turned the sky red with embers and smoke.
Nuclear regulators said several nuclear power plants in the region were operating normally. A strong earthquake and tsunami in March 2011 caused three reactors to melt down at a nuclear plant in northeastern Japan.
News videos showed rows of collapsed houses. Some wooden structures collapsed and cars were overturned. Half-sunken ships floated in bays where the tsunami waves had entered.
Japan’s meteorological agency warned that more major earthquakes might occur in the area in the coming days.
People who were evacuated from their homes took shelter in auditoriums, schools and community centers. The region’s bullet trains were halted, but service was being restored in some places. Sections of highway were closed, some water pipes burst and mobile phone service was interrupted in some areas.
Japan suffers frequent earthquakes due to its location on the Pacific Ring of Fire.
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