The Sea of Japan earthquake leads to tsunami risk, evacuation, and suspected fatalities

The Japanese crisis management agency recommended the evacuation of over 51,000 residents from five prefectures. Over a thousand individuals were secured at the Air Self-Defense Force base in Wajima. Bullet train services were halted on several routes passing through the earthquake-impacted areas.

By Monday afternoon, the AP agency clarified that the tsunami alert level had been downgraded, indicating potential wave heights should not surpass around 10 feet. Earlier, there were concerns over possible waves of approximately 16 feet. Despite this, local authorities urged residents not to return to their homes. A government spokesperson emphasized the risk of additional tsunami waves, noting the unfortunate history of people losing their lives while trying to retrieve essential items after the first wave.

The situation was most severe in Wajima city, which experienced significant land fractures, people trapped under fallen buildings, and fires. More than 32,000 homes experienced power outages, as the Kyodo agency reported.

The earthquake was detected over a wide range from the northern part of Japan in Hokkaido to the southwestern region of Kyushu. Tsunami warnings and advisories were issued for areas bordering the Sea of Japan, and Russian authorities propagated similar alerts for Sakhalin. Both Korean authorities also issued warnings for their eastern coastal regions.