Death toll rises to 57

The magnitude 7.6 quake destroyed homes in Suzu on the tip of the Noto Peninsula and sparked fires in the city of Wajima in Ishikawa Prefecture. The full extent of the damage is still unknown, as debris and cut-off roads are hampering aid and rescue efforts.

Japan earthquake: Number of dead rises to 57, rescuers in the area picture 1 — A market known as a popular tourist spot in Wajima, Ishikawa Prefecture, burned down after the earthquake. Photo: Kyodo

In Suzu, a town of just over 5,000 households near the epicenter of the quake, 90% of homes may have been destroyed, according to the area's Mayor Masuhiro Izumiya. "The situation is dire," he said.

According to Japanese authorities, at least 57 victims were reported dead: 24 in Wajima, 20 in Suzu and five in Nanao, among others.

To make matters worse, a Japan Coast Guard plane carrying aid to the quake-hit area collided with a commercial airliner in Tokyo on Tuesday, killing five coast guard officers. Fortunately, all 379 people on board the Japan Airlines flight survived.

About 200 tremors have been detected since the first quake struck on Monday, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency, which warned that stronger tremors could occur in the coming days.

Japan earthquake: number of dead increases to 57, rescuers in the area picture 2 — Evacuees stay in a greenhouse in Ishikawa Prefecture, Japan on January 2, 2024. Photo: Reuters

A tsunami warning covering large areas along the Sea of Japan was lifted on Tuesday morning, after the highest wave of at least 1.2 metres hit Wajima Port following the 4:10 p.m. earthquake on Monday.

In Wajima, a morning market was destroyed by a large fire that broke out on Monday. Ishikawa prefectural officials said the fire engulfed more than 200 structures in the central Wajima area, but was under control.

The quake also caused injuries and structural damage in Niigata, Toyama, Fukui and Gifu prefectures. Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi said the number of evacuees, including those in Ishikawa and Niigata, had reached 57,360 as of midday Tuesday.

“It is difficult for vehicles to enter the northern part of the Noto Peninsula,” Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said at a news conference, adding that the central government was coordinating the transport of relief supplies by ship.

The New Year's Day earthquake was centered about 30 kilometers east-northeast of Wajima with a temporary depth of 16 kilometers, reaching a maximum of 7 on the country's magnitude scale, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency.

The magnitude 7 earthquake was described as making people unable to stand. The agency said such an earthquake was last recorded in Hokkaido in 2018.

Huy Hoang (according to Kyodo, Reuters, CNA)

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