Japan Earthquake: 48 dead, death toll on the rise

The death toll from the New Year’s Day earthquakes in Japan has climbed to 48, with additional injuries reported in Ishikawa, Niigata, Fukui, Toyama, and Gifu prefectures, according to NHK World. A powerful magnitude 7.5 earthquake struck central Japan’s Ishikawa Prefecture on New Year’s Day evening, causing the collapse of 25 buildings in Wajima City. Rescue operations are ongoing, and a fire that broke out in Kawai Town is being controlled. Approximately 200 buildings, including shops and houses, are estimated to have burned in Asaichi Street.

The United States Geological Survey reported that the earthquake occurred on the Noto Peninsula of Ishikawa prefecture at a depth of 10 kilometers. Authorities cautioned about potential aftershocks in the coming week, especially in the next two to three days. The impact of the quake extends to other prefectures, causing injuries in Niigata and Toyoma.

The Met agency recorded over 100 aftershocks in the region since the initial quake. The Hokuriku Electric Power Company has shut down two generators at its Nanao Ota thermal power plant in Ishikawa Prefecture, leading to power outages for over 44,000 households in the affected area.