Japan was shaken by a 7.5 magnitude earthquake Monday that has left at least six people dead and another two seriously injured, according to officials.
The quake struck at 4:10 p.m. local time at a depth of 10 kilometers (6 miles) in the Noto Peninsula of Ishikawa prefecture, according to the United States Geological Survey.
The quake collapsed buildings, caused fires and triggered tsunami alerts as far away as eastern Russia, prompting orders for residents to evacuate affected coastal areas of Japan.
Here’s what to know:
- Tsunami warnings: After the earthquake, authorities issued tsunami warnings to residents of Japan’s west coast. Those warnings have since been downgraded to advisories. Tsunami warnings are issued when waves are expected to be up to 3 meters (9.8 feet). Tsunami waves of around 1.2 meters (3.9 feet) were reported in Wajima City, Japanese public broadcaster NHK said.
- Aftershocks to continue: According to the United States Geological Survey, at least 31 smaller aftershocks were reported near the region where the earthquake struck. The agency said aftershocks could continue for days to months to follow.
- Train passengers trapped: At least 1,400 passengers are stranded inside high-speed bullet trains more than 10 hours after the earthquake shook the region, Japan’s public broadcaster NHK reported.
- Damage to infrastructure: The earthquake on Monday sliced through highways in central Japan, collapsed buildings, caused blazes and disrupted communications. At least 33,000 households were affected by power outages, said Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Hayashi Yoshimasa, according to NHK.
- Rescue and recovery efforts: At least 8,500 military personnel are on standby to help with emergency efforts following the quake, said Japan’s Defense Minister Minoru Kihara. Health officials in the city of Suzu said some doctors could not treat wounded patients because damaged roads mean they are unable to travel to work.
- US support: The Biden administration is in touch with Japanese officials, and the United States “stands ready to provide any necessary assistance for the Japanese people,” according to a statement.
Death toll rises to at least 6 people after earthquake strikes Japan on New Year’s Day
At least six people have died in Japan’s Ishikawa prefecture following a 7.5 magnitude earthquake that struck central Japan on Monday, according to the country’s public broadcaster NHK, which cited local police.
One elderly man was confirmed dead after being rescued from a house that collapsed due to the earthquake, NHK said, citing the police.
Dozens of people have been injured in four other prefectures, including Toyama and Niigata, according to hospitals and authorities, NHK reports.
The fire department also said it’s responding to reports of people being trapped under damaged buildings, NHK said.
More than 100 houses and shops have burned down in a fire that erupted after the earthquake
From CNN’s Sahar Akbarzai and Chie Kobayashi
A large fire broke out in the central Japanese city of Wajima on Monday evening after a 7.5 magnitude earthquake shook the area, Japan’s public broadcaster NHK reported.
More than 100 shops and houses have burned down, NHK reported on Tuesday.
The fire is still burning, according to the broadcaster.
Wajima is a coastal city located in Ishikawa prefecture.
Service resumes on Japanese bullet trains after hundreds of passengers were stranded for hours
Four bullet trains, whose high-speed journeys were halted when a powerful earthquake struck Japan on Monday, have now resumed service to their destinations, according to Japan’s public broadcaster NHK.
The high-speed trains had been stranded between the central Japanese cities of Toyama and Kanazawa following the 7.5 magnitude tremor.
After being stationary for more than 11 hours, two trains arrived at the Toyama station at 4 a.m. local time on Tuesday (2 p.m. ET on Monday), officials said. Another two trains traveling in the opposite direction arrived at the Kanazawa station in Ishiwaka prefecture.
Nearly 1,400 passengers had been stranded inside the high-speed trains, NHK said, citing Japan Railways West.
The broadcaster said there were no reports of anyone on the trains becoming ill during the wait.
