Japan, the country most prepared for earthquakes, was still struggling to reach thousands of its residents after a powerful 7.6 magnitude quake struck its west coast on New Year’s Day.
A government estimate had put the number of dead at 13 on Tuesday afternoon, but that number is expected to balloon during the day.
Residents in the affected area have said that the ground hasn’t stopped moving. Japan’s Meteorological Agency said there were 147 tremors of varying degrees in a period of 18 hours following the initial quake, which struck at 4.10 PM local time on Monday.
The quake triggered a tsunami warning – cautioning of waves as high as 5 meters – but that was later downgraded even as meter-high waves battered western coasts in the country and neighbouring South Korea.
The quake wrecked several buildings and major roads, knocked out power to a large portion of the country which is experiencing severe winter right now, and started fires.
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida assured people still stuck that help was on its way.
“The Self-Defense Forces will face many difficulties reaching the disaster-hit areas because roads have been cut off but people trapped in buildings should be rescued as soon as possible before the buildings collapse,” Kishida said. “I have ordered Self-Defense Force officials to do everything they can to get to the disaster-hit areas.”
Japan is situated on the ‘Ring of Fire’ arc of volcanoes and oceanic trenches. The country accounts for about 20 percent of the world’s earthquakes of magnitude 6 or greater, and each year experiences up to 2,000 quakes that can be felt by people.
The earthquake triggered memories of the 9.0 magnitude one on March 11, 2011, which struck northeast Japan. This was followed by a tsunami that killed nearly 20,000 people and caused a meltdown in the Fukushima nuclear plant.
Monday’s earthquake was bigger than the 7.3 magnitude quake on January 16, 1995, that devastated the western port city of Kobe, killing 6,400 and causing an estimated damage of more than $100 billion.
Nuclear reactors safe
The Nuclear Regulation Authority said no irregularities were found at nuclear plants along the Sea of Japan, including five active reactors at Kansai Electric Power’s Ohi and Takahama plants in Fukui Prefecture.
Hokuriku Electric’s Shika plant, the closest to the epicentre, had already halted its two reactors before the quake for regular inspections and saw no impact.
The government had ordered the evacuation of nearly 100,000 people on Monday night, many of whom were seen returning to their homes on Tuesday trying to retrieve personal belongings.
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