30 dead, thousands displaced: Japan's race against time after devastating earthquake
Rescue teams persevered with their work on Tuesday, striving to access isolated areas that had sustained the brunt of the damage. Numerous buildings collapsed, roads were ruined, and thousands of homes were left without power.
7:23 AM EST, January 2, 2024
The earthquake, transpiring on Monday afternoon, measured at 7.6 on the Richter scale.
Coastal residents chose to evacuate to higher ground following the tsunami waves that assailed Japan's western coast, dragging cars and homes into the sea. The tsunami warning was revoked 20 hours post-earthquake by the authorities.
In reaction to the catastrophe, thousands of soldiers, firefighters, and police officers from various regions were deployed to the hardest-hit area, the Noto Peninsula in Ishikawa prefecture.
Several transport services were halted, including trains, ferries, and flights to the area. According to public broadcaster NHK, Noto Airport was shut down due to the impairment of the runway, terminal, and access roads. Approximately 500 people were stranded in cars in the airport parking lot.
In a meeting held on Tuesday regarding the disaster, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida stressed that the search and rescue of individuals impacted by the earthquake represents a "race against time".
Kishida pointed out the difficulties faced by rescuers attempting to reach the northern edge of the Noto Peninsula due to road damage. Aerial surveys with helicopters unveiled numerous fires and extensive devastation to buildings and infrastructure.
Ishikawa officials reported that the confirmed death toll from the earthquake has reached 30 so far. Half of these fatalities occurred in Wajima, near the earthquake's epicenter which was severely impacted.
Firefighters continue to combat fires in multiple cities while attempting to rescue more individuals trapped in the aftermath of collapsed buildings, according to reports from the authorities.
