In a bad start to 2024, Japan reels from a monstrous 7.5 magnitude earthquake that struck Ishikawa prefecture, leaving at least 48 dead and a nation in shock. The calamity, which triggered tsunami waves over a meter high, inflicted widespread destruction, tearing apart roads and setting ablaze the old market area of Wajima.
“I’m amazed the house is this broken, and everyone in my family managed to come out of it unscathed,” shared Akiko, a resident of the badly hit city.
READ ALSO: South Korea Bans Eating, Selling Of Dog Meat
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida expressed the gravity of the situation, stating, “Very extensive damage has been confirmed, including numerous casualties, building collapses, and fires.” Rescue efforts are underway amidst the chaos, with a seven-storey commercial building in Wajima collapsing, hindering firefighting attempts.
The aftermath is grim – almost 33,000 households without power, cities without running water, and a region grappling with freezing temperatures. The US Geological Survey recorded the quake at 7.5, while Japan’s meteorological agency measured it at 7.6, one of over 210 quakes shaking the region.
As the nation mourns, stories of heroism emerge. Firefighters in Wajima crawled under collapsed buildings, shouting, “Hang in there!” Meanwhile, the global community, including China and the United States, expresses condolences.