'Survivors buried under rubble' as 7.6 magnitude earthquake triggers tsunami waves and destroys houses in Japan

1 January 2024, 07:51 | Updated: 1 January 2024, 16:35

A 7.6 magnitude earthquake has triggered tsunami waves after hitting north central Japan - leaving some people buried under the rubble in its aftermath.

People were urged to flee to high ground or to get to the top of buildings as fast as possible.

The quake collapsed homes and left huge cracks in the streets in western central Japan.

Warnings of waves as tall as five metres (16ft) were made for Noto, Ishikawa Prefecture, while NHK, Japan's national broadcaster, said tsunami waves bigger than one metre hit the north coast of central Japan.

Later, that warning was downgraded as three metre tall (9.8ft) waves were predicted.

About 50 earthquakes, from the 7.6 magnitude one to lesser ones at 3.4, struck the central area of the country and more tremors are expected in the coming days.

The Japan Meteorological Agency issued its tsunami warning for the Ishikawa, Niigata and Toyama prefectures after the quakes struck at 4pm local time (7am UK).

It was the first such warning since the devastating 2011 earthquake.

The Japanese government said it had reports that six people were trapped under rubble in affected parts.

Yoshima Hayashi, Japan's chief cabinet secretary, urged people to evacuate the coast in the affected areas immediately.

“As of 6pm today, we have received numerous calls to 110 and 119, and damage has been confirmed to many houses. We have received multiple reports of collapsed buildings. Regarding landslides… I am currently confirming the information."

The Japan Meteorological Agency said earlier: "A large tsunami has been observed and there is a risk of severe damage.

"People in coastal areas or along rivers should immediately evacuate to a safe location such as higher ground or an evacuation building.

"Tsunami strike repeatedly. Do not leave your safe area until the warning has been lifted.

"In areas where the shaking was strong, there is an increased risk of house collapses and landslides, so please pay close attention to future seismic activity and rainfall conditions, and take precautions such as not entering dangerous areas unless there are unavoidable circumstances."

It posted a map showing a major tsunami warning for the Noto area, which was told to immediately evacuate to higher ground, and a lesser tsunami warning for the west coast of central Japan.

Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said: "Residents need to stay on alert for further possible quakes and I urge people in areas where tsunamis are expected to evacuate as soon as possible."

An NHK presenter told viewers: "We realise your home, your belongings are all precious to you, but your lives are important above everything else. Run to the highest ground possible."

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The earthquake wrecked houses, leaving some partially collapsed with the roof caved in and debris strewn across the street in Wajima City, Ishikawa Prefecture.

Fires broke out there - which earthquakes can trigger when they damage energy infrastructure, like electricity lines.

More than 36,000 homes lost power in Ishikawa and Toyama prefectures.

Hospitals were filling up with people being treated for injuries from the earthquake, but no deaths have been reported.

In Wajima, which was particularly affected, patients were being treated in a car park amid fears aftershocks could collapse the hospital.

South Korea saw 45cm waves hit later on Monday. The government told people in Gangwon province, in the north east, to get away from the coast and move to a place higher than a three-storey building.

North Korea and Russia's Vladivostok and Sakhalin areas also came under tsunami warnings.

No irregularities were found at Japan's nuclear power plants on the coast.

In 2011, a 9.0 magnitude earthquake hit the country's eastern coast, creating a tsunami that killed 18,000 people and triggered a meltdown at the Fukushima nuclear plant.