An earthquake with a magnitude of 7.6 occurred in the central part of Japan on Monday morning Finnish time.
At least 30 people have died in Japan as a result of a strong earthquake, authorities said on Tuesday.
The number of victims has increased since Monday, when eight people were reported dead.
In addition, several people were seriously injured after buildings collapsed due to the force of the earthquake, officials said. According to information from news agencies, the number of injured varies from 7 to more than 30.
Nearly 33,000 households were still without power in the earthquake area on Tuesday morning, officials said.
An evacuation order and tsunami warning were issued in Ishikawa Prefecture on Monday. The tsunami warning was canceled on Tuesday morning, but the evacuation order is still in effect.
The aftershocks were felt in the western parts of the country
An earthquake occurred in the central part of Japan on the morning of New Year’s Day Finnish time, the magnitude of which was reported by the Japan Meteorological Institute as 7.6.
According to the country’s authorities, the earthquake occurred at a depth of about 20 kilometers. The epicenter of the earthquake was in the Suzu district of Ishikawa Prefecture.
Monday’s powerful earthquake collapsed buildings, damaged vehicles, started fires and closed highways.
In addition, Japan has been shaken by at least 154 other earthquakes in the night before Tuesday. Most there were earthquakes three in strength and were registered in Wajima City, Ishikawa Prefecture.
No tsunami danger
Following the powerful earthquake on New Year’s Day, the Japan Meteorological Agency issued a tsunami warning for the Ishikawa, Niigata and Toyama regions.
The first tsunami waves hit the port of Wajima in Ishikawa on Monday afternoon Finnish time. A second tsunami warning was issued six hours later.
All tsunami warnings issued after Monday’s strong earthquake have since been canceled, the Japan Meteorological Agency said, according to AFP.
On Monday, the authorities said that the Shika nuclear power plant in Hokuriku, located closest to the center of the earthquake, was operating normally.
Japan is especially alert for nuclear accidents. In March 2011, the nuclear power plant was damaged in Fukushima in the tsunami caused by the earthquake. Almost 20,000 people died as a result of the tsunami raised by the earthquakes.
The Japanese military is assisting in search and rescue operations
Prime Minister of Japan Fumio Kishida said on Tuesday that more than 1,000 soldiers from the Japanese army have been sent to the disaster areas to assist in search and rescue efforts.
At the press conference, Kishida described the earthquake’s destruction as extensive.
– We must act quickly and save as quickly as possible, especially those who are stuck in the ruins, Kishida said.
President of the United States Joe Biden and the Prime Minister of Great Britain Rishi Sunak have offered their close ally Japan help in the rescue work.
Sources: AFP, Reuters, AP