2024-01-03 05:19:00
(Xinhua/Zhang Xiaoyu)
TOKYO, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) — The death toll rose to 64 in Ishikawa Prefecture as of midday Wednesday, following a series of powerful earthquakes struck the region and surrounding areas in central Japan, and as followingshocks and damage reports continue.
According to the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA), a series of followingshocks hit the region: one of magnitude 5.4 on Wednesday morning and one of magnitude 4.6 on Tuesday evening off the Noto Peninsula, both at shallow depths. and a magnitude greater than 5 on the Japan Seismic Intensity Scale, which peaks at 7.
The extent of the disaster remains unknown as rubble and cut roads still hamper search and rescue operations Wednesday, two days following the 7.6 magnitude earthquake on New Year’s Day caused structural damage major fires in the town of Wajima, Ishikawa.
Ishikawa prefectural authorities asked the central government to send self-defense force personnel to help the victims, and the armed forces were prepared to use helicopters to supply isolated areas, according to local media.
Municipal authorities have continued to report damage and reports of people buried alive or trapped under collapsed houses in areas hit by the earthquakes.
A series of strong earthquakes, including a major one with a preliminary magnitude of 7.6, occurred at shallow depths on the Noto Peninsula in Ishikawa Prefecture on Monday. The JMA officially named it the 2024 Noto Peninsula Earthquake.
Centered regarding 30 km east-northeast of Wajima, the New Year’s Day earthquake recorded a peak intensity of 7, which would leave people unable to stand.
Such an earthquake was last recorded in 2018 in Hokkaido, the weather agency said.
The JMA lifted all tsunami advisories along the Sea of Japan following the quake, but weather officials warned that strong followingshocks might occur during the week, particularly over the next two to three days.
Since Monday, Japan has been hit by at least 155 earthquakes. END
(Xinhua/Zhang Xiaoyu)
1704264220
#Japan #earthquake #toll #rises #followingshocks #continue #Xinhua
