WAJIMA, Japan – A powerful series of earthquakes has rocked western Japan, claiming the lives of at least eight people and causing extensive damage to buildings, vehicles, and boats. Officials have advised residents in some areas to refrain from returning to their homes due to the potential for further strong quakes.
The aftershocks have continued to shake Ishikawa prefecture and the surrounding areas, following a magnitude 7.6 temblor that struck the region on Monday afternoon. In Wajima city, eight people have been confirmed dead, with seven others sustaining serious injuries. The extent of the damage to homes is still being assessed.
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has emphasized the prioritization of saving lives, stating that immediate rescue efforts for people trapped in their homes are crucial. In response to the disaster, Japan’s military has mobilized 1,000 soldiers to join in the rescue operations, as they grapple with the large-scale destruction.
Videos circulating from the scene depict rows of collapsed houses, flattened wooden structures, overturned cars, and half-sunken ships in the bays where tsunami waves had swept in. The Japan Meteorological Agency had initially issued a major tsunami warning for Ishikawa, as well as lower-level warnings for other areas along the western coast of Honshu and the northern island of Hokkaido.
These powerful earthquakes serve as a sobering reminder of Japan’s vulnerability to seismic activity, attributable to its location along the “Ring of Fire,” an arc of volcanoes and fault lines in the Pacific Basin.
In the wake of this disaster, U.S. President Joe Biden has pledged readiness to provide necessary assistance to the Japanese people. The affected residents, currently evacuated from their homes, have sought refuge in auditoriums, schools, and community centers as they cope with the aftermath of the earthquakes.
In conclusion, the earthquakes in western Japan have caused widespread devastation, with significant loss of life and extensive damage to buildings, vehicles, and boats. As rescue operations continue, the focus remains on saving lives and providing support to the affected communities.