At least 30 Killed, Over 65000 Evacuated as 155 Earthquakes Hit Japan

A major earthquake that hit Japan on New Year’s Day reportedly killed more than 30 people. The 7.5-magnitude earthquake hit Ishikawa prefecture on the main island of Honshu.

This earthquake triggered tsunami waves of more than a metre high. Several buildings were damaged, roads were cracked and it caused a major port fire.

The Kyodo news agency reported that 24 people had died, including seven in the badly hit port of Wajima.

Aerial news footage showed devastation from a major fire in Wajima, where a seven-storey building collapsed and over

45,000 households were without power.

The US Geological Survey (USGS) and Japan’s meteorological agency reported that more than 150 earthquakes shook the region through Tuesday morning. The most dangerous one was measuring 7.5.

On Monday waves at least 1.2 metres high hit Wajima. Smaller tsunamis were reported on other coasts of Japan. On Tuesday Japan lifted all tsunami warnings.

Ishikawa Governor Hiroshi Hase wrote on X, that roads have been cut in widespread areas by landslides or cracking, while in the port of Suzu “multiple” vessels had capsized.

A total of 62,000 people had been ordered to evacuate, according to the fire and disaster management agency.

Several major highways were closed around the epicentre, Japan’s road operator said, and bullet train services from Tokyo were also suspended.