Wajima in Japan struggles with earthquake amidst New Year

Tuesday, January 2, 2024

When the world is joyfully immersing itself in New Year fevour; Wajima in Japan undergoes a dreadful situation. 

A powerful earthquake hit Wajima on New Year’s Day, leading to a death toll of more than 20 people. 

The buildings in the city collapsed, and they were swept away. 

The earthquake had a preliminary magnitude of 7.6 and was wreaking havoc in the city of Wajima. 

Fumio Kishida, PM of Japan, said the country is currently experiencing a battle against time. A string of strong earthquakes caused dozens of injuries, eight fatalities, and house destruction from fires. 

While the world is busy celebrating the New Year,. The local authorities and police told the media that they had extracted bodies from the rubble of collapsed buildings while others remained trapped inside them. 

Recue teams comprising thousands of army personnel were sent to the remote Noto Peninsula in Japan. However, the operations were consequently hindered by the blocked roads as well as the badly damaged airports that had been the result of the disasters. Even the runaway tracks of the airports had to close because of cracks. 

Asachi-dori Street was deemed the worst-afflicted city, although the precise number of casualties is still unknown. 

The earthquake continued and struck hard on the peninsula that also extended into the Sea of Japan, just as people were getting ready to celebrate the New Year. 

In a statement to the media, even President Joe Biden stated that the US would provide assistance to Japan. 

Bullet trains as well as flights were stalled due to the quake. Due to burst pipes, some areas lost access to water supplies, and the section connecting major highways was closed. 

The phone networks in the region were damaged as a resultant of the earthquake, but post-earthquake, the situation is now recovering. The services are currently being restored.

Even British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said that the United Kingdom would stand in support of Japan. He even asked the British officials in Japan to adhere to the Japanese authorities. 

[Source Image: CNA]

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