The first day of the new year turned into a tragedy for the residents of Japan: after a series of powerful earthquakes in the Ishikawa prefecture, more than a hundred buildings were damaged, some collapsed, resulting in at least two deaths, and several dozen people injured, the media reported.
The earthquakes led to a tsunami: the threat of a “big tsunami” has been declared for the entire western coast of the country. In some areas, the recorded wave height was 5 m, reports said.
Thus, at least 97 thousand residents in 9 prefectures reportedly received evacuation orders due to the ongoing threat of a tsunami.
As a result of the natural disaster, more than 33,000 houses in the country were left without power supply, and there were interruptions in mobile communications. At least 25 domestic flights were canceled, and train services were partially suspended, the media revealed.
Furthermore, in several cities, rescuers are reportedly working to extinguish large fires caused by the earthquakes, and landslides have occurred in several mountainous areas of the country.
However, according to the Nuclear Energy Control Committee, no emergency situations have been recorded at Japanese nuclear facilities.
Take a look at Sputnik Africa's gallery to see the devastating aftermath of the earthquake and tsunami in Japan.