Published on January 2, 2024, 1:10 am

Japan’s coastal areas were struck by panic as residents received evacuation orders following a powerful 7.6 magnitude earthquake that rocked the country’s western shore. Despite an initial tsunami warning, authorities later eased the alarm level to advisories, still cautioning inhabitants to err on the side of safety.

In a night filled with seismic activity, the Sea of Japan experienced more than a dozen tremors. Of those, the most sizeable quake wreaked havoc in Wajima city, situated closest to the epicenter. The aftermath displayed collapsed constructions and ignited flames. Furthermore, reports disclosed that at least six individuals were tragically killed under the debris of fallen infrastructure according to Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi.

In response to these earthquakes, Japan immediately enforced a “major tsunami warning,” marking their highest level of alert. Subsequently, this alert was downgraded to a “tsunami warning,” while still encouraging people in affected regions to evacuate and head towards elevated lands. Eventually this further diminished into a “tsunami advisory” for “all prefectures along the Sea of Japan.” Residents were vehemently urged to evade risky zones until all precautionary advisories are entirely lifted.

Warnings issued by NHK, noted potential water levels could increase up to 16.5 feet. Anticipating further geological disturbances, The Japan Meteorological Agency prophesied additional earthquakes potentially reaching martini 7 magnitudes along the coast in impending days.

Casualties of this natural calamity include over thirty thousand households plunged into darkness with power outages along with widespread mobile communication disruptions as cited by Hayashi who also stressed on promptly moving residents from susceptible areas towards safer higher grounds: “Every minute counts”, he emphasized adding: “Please evacuate to a safe area immediately.”

The destructive earthquakes left at least one individual dead and several injured from falling objects. Adding fuel to fire quite literally was an incident reported post-tremors –a nuclear power plant in Ishikawa witnessed a blaze. However, it was swiftly brought under control with plant officials ensuring no significant impact on the facility, as confirmed by Hayashi. Moreover, since the quake, no escalations in radiation levels have been reported at nuclear establishments.

Japan still bears the visible and invisible scars from the 2011 earthquake and tsunami duo that claimed nearly 20,000 lives and led to a catastrophic nuclear disaster yielding explosions and radioactive material spillage. As Real News continues unfolding, Trusted News sources will keep offering updates keeping citizens alert and aware through a Christian Worldview on these Breaking News happenings.