7.5 magnitude earthquake destroys Japan
A powerful 7.5 magnitude earthquake has struck Japan.
The incident recorded on New Year’s Day has killed at least 48 people and caused. widespread destruction.
The race against time ensues as rescuers confront aftershocks and crumble through the rubble to find survivors.
Rescue teams battle against the clock, navigating powerful aftershocks as they comb through the debris. Witnesses recount the horror of the “long and violent” earthquake, with buildings damaged by fire, houses flattened, and fishing boats sunk on the Noto Peninsula. Emotional scenes unfold as survivors express gratitude amid the devastation.
Akiko, standing outside her parents’ tilting home in Wajima, reflects on the sheer impact of the quake, stating, “The way 2024 started will be etched into my memory forever.” Tsugumasa Mihara, 73, echoes the sentiment, describing the quake as a “powerful jolt.”
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida acknowledges the extensive damage, declaring the need to “race against time to search for and rescue victims of the disaster.”
The death toll, initially reported at 48, is expected to rise as rescue operations intensify.
Aerial footage captures the terrifying scale of a fire that engulfs Wajima’s old market area, where a seven-storey commercial building collapses.
Quake damage hampers firefighting efforts, while almost 33,000 households are left without power, and freezing temperatures add to the challenges. Cities face water shortages, exacerbating the crisis.
The earthquake’s tremors are felt across the region, with cars, houses, and bridges wobbling violently. Bullet trains are suspended, and citizens in Tokyo, 300 kilometers away, experience apartment tremors. Japan’s meteorological agency records over 210 aftershocks, creating an atmosphere of constant tension.
China, the United States, and other countries express condolences as Japan grapples with the aftermath.
The international community stands in solidarity with the Japanese people in the face of this devastating natural disaster.
As the nation mourns and rescue efforts continue, the resilience of the Japanese people shines through, embodying strength in the face of adversity.
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