An earthquake with a magnitude of 7.5 struck the west coast of Japan on Monday, resulting in at least four reported deaths. Tsunami warnings were issued but later lifted, with tsunami advisories remaining in place due to aftershocks.
The epicenter of the earthquake was located 26 miles from Anamizu, Japan, and the Japan Meteorological Agency confirmed that a tsunami had occurred in the area. Several people were transported with injuries to hospitals in Suzu City and Wajima City, where patients were even being treated in a parking lot. The earthquake also caused a fire in the city center of Wajima City and trapped people in collapsed buildings.
Following the initial earthquake, the U.S. Geological Survey reported numerous aftershocks, including a magnitude 6.2 quake. Officials cautioned that the region could experience damaging aftershocks in the hours and days ahead. Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida responded by mobilizing emergency resources to the area to address power outages, while also contending with freezing temperatures.
Preliminary estimates indicate that the 7.5 earthquake was the strongest to hit Japan since 2015. The region’s vulnerability to natural disasters, such as earthquakes and tsunamis, has been a longstanding concern for residents and authorities alike.
In summary, a magnitude 7.5 earthquake struck the west coast of Japan, resulting in casualties, injuries, and infrastructure damage. The region is being closely monitored for potential aftershocks, and emergency resources have been deployed to address the aftermath of the earthquake.