On Monday, the government downgraded its highest level tsunami warning after a series of major earthquakes rocked Japan, but warned residents not to return home as deadly waves and aftershocks could still linger. .
The Japan Meteorological Agency reported that more than a dozen strong earthquakes, including one with a magnitude of 7.6, occurred off the coast of Ishikawa Prefecture and in the Sea of Japan in neighboring prefectures after 4 p.m. local time.
On Monday, January 1, 2024, a tsunami warning was broadcast on television in Yokohama, near Tokyo. Japan issued a tsunami warning on Monday following a series of strong earthquakes in the Sea of Japan. (AP Photo/Hoshiko Eugene)
The Japan Meteorological Agency initially issued a major tsunami warning for Ishikawa Prefecture, and low-level tsunami warnings or advisories for the rest of Honshu's west coast and Hokkaido, the northernmost tip of the main island.
Cracks are visible in the ground in Wajima City, Ishikawa Prefecture, after an earthquake on Monday, January 1, 2024. Japan issued a tsunami warning on Monday after a series of strong earthquakes struck the Sea of Japan. (via Kyodo News AP)
Hours later, the warning was downgraded to a regular tsunami, meaning waves up to 10 feet were still possible at sea. Aftershocks are also likely to occur in the same area over the next few days.
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More than a dozen strong earthquakes had been detected in the area, raising the risk of landslides and the collapse of houses. The earthquake caused fires and collapsed buildings on the west coast of Honshu.
Japan's public broadcaster NHK Television initially warned that the torrent could reach up to 16.5 feet. Networks continued to broadcast warnings hours later as aftershocks rocked the region.
On Monday, January 1, 2024, an earthquake damages a house in Wajima City, Ishikawa Prefecture. Japan issued a tsunami warning on Monday after a series of strong earthquakes in the Sea of Japan. (via Kyodo News AP)
Footage of the chaos showed people running in the streets and red smoke billowing from a fire in a residential area. Photos showed a large group of people, including a woman carrying a baby, standing next to a large crack that had torn the pavement.
This image from a video shows a fire that broke out after an earthquake in Wajima City, Ishikawa Prefecture, Japan, Monday, January 1, 2024. On Monday, Japan issued a tsunami warning and told people to evacuate seaside areas after a series of strong earthquakes struck its coastline. (via Kyodo News AP)
According to NHK, some people suffered minor injuries when they tripped and fell during the evacuation or were hit by objects that fell from shelves.
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Shinkansen services in the area were suspended, but some had been restored by the evening. According to NHK, part of the expressway was also closed and a water pipe burst. Cell phone service in some parts of the area was not working.
At least six houses off the coast of Ishikawa Prefecture were damaged in the earthquake, leaving people trapped in their homes, according to government spokesman Yoshimasa Hayashi. A fire broke out in Wajima City, Ishikawa Prefecture, leaving more than 30,000 homes without power.
On Monday, January 1, 2024, a portion of a commercial facility collapsed in Kaga City, Ishikawa Prefecture. On Monday, Japan issued a tsunami warning and asked people to evacuate to coastal areas after a series of strong earthquakes along its west coast. (via Kyodo News AP)
Hayashi stressed that people need to move away from coastal areas. He said there were no confirmed reports of deaths or injuries due to the quake. The Japanese military also participated in the rescue efforts.
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida told reporters that the Japanese government has set up a special emergency center to collect information about the earthquake and tsunami and quickly communicate it to residents to ensure their safety.
Japan is a highly earthquake-prone country, but no tsunami warning of Monday's magnitude had been issued since March 2011, when a massive earthquake and tsunami caused a nuclear power plant meltdown.
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Hayashi told reporters that no abnormalities were reported from nuclear power plants in the affected area on Monday. The nuclear regulator said monitoring stations in the area detected no elevated radiation levels.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
