TOKYO, Japan – A powerful magnitude 7.5 earthquake struck the west coast of Japan on Monday, resulting in at least four reported deaths and triggering tsunami warnings that were later lifted. However, tsunami advisories continued due to aftershocks. The earthquake was centered 26 miles from Anamizu, Japan, and parts of the area experienced a tsunami on Monday, confirmed by the Japan Meteorological Agency.
Several people were transported with injuries to hospitals in Suzu City and Wajima City, where patients were even treated in a parking lot. The earthquake also caused a fire in the city center of Wajima City and trapped people in the rubble of collapsed buildings. As if that wasn’t enough, the U.S. Geological Survey reported dozens of aftershocks, including a magnitude 6.2 quake, warned that the region could experience damaging aftershocks in the hours and days following the earthquake.
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida ordered emergency resources to the area as the region grapples with power outages, a particularly concerning issue as temperatures are below freezing in much of the area. The 7.5 earthquake was Japan’s strongest since 2015, based on preliminary estimates. This disaster serves as a reminder of the country’s vulnerability to seismic activity and the importance of being prepared for such events.