On Tuesday morning Norwegian time, around 120 people will be trapped in the ruins after a strong earthquake hit the Ishikawa region in Japan on Monday.
This is reported by the Reuters news agency.
The Japanese army has sent over a thousand personnel to the Noto Peninsula, which will be the hardest hit area. But due to damaged and blocked roads, the rescue work will be very demanding.
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida says the country now faces “a race against time” to save survivors.
Wajima was one of the hardest hit towns. 14 people will be trapped in the ruins here.
Foto: Kyodo via / AP
According to Japanese media, it has so far been confirmed that 48 people have died as a result of the earthquake. It is expected that the number will rise over the next 24 hours.
Ship washed ashore
Close to 100,000 were told on Monday to evacuate to refuge centres, such as sports halls and schools. Since then, 155 earthquakes have been recorded, according to Japanese meteorologists.
The most powerful had a strength of 7.5, which is the second highest on the scale.
The authorities also warned that a tsunami wave of around five meters could occur after the earthquake. The warning was scaled down, before it was lifted on Tuesday morning.
The largest tidal wave that was recorded was 1.2 metres, and hit the town of Wajima. Ships were washed ashore – and houses into the sea. The devastation must be enormous.
Japanese media reports that tens of thousands of Japanese have most likely lost their homes in the last 24 hours, but that the authorities still do not have an overview of exactly how many.
The United States and Canada have said they will help with the clean-up.
The Noto peninsula was the epicenter of the strongest earthquake on Monday. The highest tidal waves recorded here were 1.2 metres.
Photo: JIJI PRESS / AFP
But the danger is not over yet.
It is feared that there will be more earthquakes and aftershocks in the next few days:
– Residents must be alert for further possible earthquakes, warned Prime Minister Kishida on Monday.
Seismologist Susan Hough tells CNN that the aftershocks of such large earthquakes can last for several months.
2024-01-02 10:48:27
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