Japan was hit by a 7.5-magnitude earthquake, issuing tsunami warnings and urgent evacuation measures. The earthquake struck the western coast, specifically targeting Ishikawa prefecture and neighboring areas.
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The Meteorological Agency responded to the seismic activity by issuing tsunami warnings along the coastal regions of Ishikawa and neighboring prefectures, including Niigata and Toyama.
The first waves, reaching heights of approximately 1.2 meters, were reported in Wajima City, Ishikawa prefecture, within minutes of the earthquake.
Alerts indicated the possibility of more waves, with projections of up to 5 meters. As the tsunami warnings spread, residents in affected areas were urged to evacuate immediately.
Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi addressed the urgency of the situation, urging people to move to higher ground to ensure their safety.
Reports from Wajima City showed the collapse of buildings, with fires breaking out in several homes. The city of Noto faced a tsunami warning.
The aftermath of the earthquake revealed a situation, with six people reported trapped under the rubble on the Noto Peninsula.
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Evacuation centers, such as judo and kendo dojos, were established to accommodate displaced residents. However, concerns arose as reports showed a lack of emergency supplies at some shelters.
The aftermath of the earthquake revealed damage to infrastructure, collapsed houses, and roads with visible cracks.
Local residents were seen fleeing to higher ground, seeking safety from both the earthquake and the tsunami.
Videos circulated on social media platforms captured the intensity of the quake, with shaking interiors in shops and railway stations.
Reports are emerging of six people trapped under the rubble of collapsed houses on the Noto Peninsula. Additionally, there have been reports of injuries, including broken bones, as a result of the earthquake.
Hospitals are receiving a stream of injured patients, and medical facilities are struggling with the challenges of transportation delays due to damaged roads.
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The Japan Self-Defense Forces are being mobilized for deployment to assist with rescue and aid work in the affected areas.
Governor Hiroshi Hase of Ishikawa, the hardest-hit prefecture, is reportedly stranded in Tokyo due to suspended flights and trains.
The government is faced with the task of coordinating rescue operations while struggling with transportation disruptions.
Nuclear Regulation Authority has reported no abnormalities in reactors at nuclear power plants in the affected area.
However, oil spillages and minor damage have been confirmed at some plants. The situation is being closely monitored, with updates promised on the condition of the 22 reactors across six plants nearest to the earthquake’s epicenter.
The seismic activity has reverberated beyond Japan, with South Korea issuing alerts on rising sea levels and Russia declaring a tsunami alert for its far eastern cities, including Vladivostok.
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