A massive earthquake struck Japan on the afternoon of New Year’s Day, tragically taking the lives of at least 13 people.
The 7.6-magnitude quake resulted in several collapsed buildings and a fire at a tourist destination.
It also knocked out the power in thousands of homes.
As a result, Japanese authorities have warned of aftershocks and issued a tsunami advisory along the west coast.
In addition, the government has ordered the evacuation of almost 100,000 residents.
According to Nikkei Asia, at least 13 people were killed after the earthquake struck the Noto Peninsula in the Ishikawa Prefecture at around 4.10pm on Monday (1 Jan).
Coming in at a magnitude of 7.6, the quake clocked level seven on Japan’s ‘shindo’ intensity scale.
This is the highest level an earthquake can measure in the country.
It led to the collapse of multiple structures and houses in the Niigata, Toyama, Fukui, and Gifu prefectures, culminating in several injuries and deaths.
The Japan Times reported that at least 13 people have been confirmed dead.
These include a woman in her 30s in Nanao, a man in his 70s in Hakui, and a man in his 90s in Shika.
On top of that, a fire broke out in the popular Kawaimachi district of Wajima, Ishikawa the same night.
The blaze allegedly consumed over 100 shops and homes and has yet to cease as of Tuesday (2 Jan) morning.
A separate report by Reuters stated that the quake left over 32,000 households without power.
This comes in the midst of winter, with projected overnight temperatures reaching near-freezing levels.
The Japan Times added that there had been more than 129 aftershocks measuring a shindo level two or higher at 6am on Tuesday.
Furthermore, the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) cautioned that quakes measuring up to level seven could hit again over the coming week.
Source: The Japan Times
Reuters noted that this was the JMA’s first major tsunami warning since the deadly 2011 earthquake and tsunami.
While it has since downgraded the warning into an advisory, people are still urged to stay away from coastal areas, AP News reported.
Amidst the chaos of the recent quake, the government has ordered almost 100,000 people to evacuate their residences as of Monday night.
These evacuees will stay in sports halls and school gymnasiums until it is safe for them to return home.
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Featured image adapted from The Japan Times.
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