At least 48 dead in Japan earthquake on New Year’s Day, ‘battle against time’ to rescue survivors
- The magnitude 7.6 tremor destroyed buildings, prompted evacuations and knocked out power to tens of thousands of homes
- The Imperial Household Agency said that following the disaster it would cancel Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako’s slated New Year appearance
The quake with a preliminary magnitude of 7.6 struck in the middle of the afternoon on Monday, prompting residents in some coastal areas to flee to higher ground as tsunami waves about 1 metre (3.3ft) high hit Japan’s western seaboard.
A thousand army personnel have been dispatched to the worst-hit area in the country’s relatively remote Noto peninsula, but rescue operations have been hindered by badly damaged and blocked roads and one of the area’s airports has been forced to close due to runway cracks. Many rail services and flights into the area have also been suspended.
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Powerful earthquake strikes central Japan triggering tsunami warning
“We must rescue them as quickly as possible, especially those who are trapped under collapsed structures.”
Local officials have reported at least 20 deaths, Kyodo News said. At least 15 were in Wajima near the quake’s epicentre, public broadcaster NHK said. In nearby Suzu some doctors were unable to reach a hospital that was relying on a backup generator for power.
More than 90 tremors have been detected since the quake first hit on Monday, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency. The agency has warned more strong shocks could hit in coming days.
