By Sabiu Abdullahi
A powerful 7.5-magnitude earthquake on Monday struck the Noto region in Ishikawa prefecture around 4:10 p.m. Japan local time.
The US Geological Survey (USGS) reported a rapid succession of quakes, starting with a 5.7-magnitude tremor at 4:06 p.m.
National broadcaster NHK issued urgent warnings, urging all residents to evacuate immediately to higher ground.
The Hawaii-based Pacific Tsunami Warning Center cautioned of hazardous tsunami waves within 300 kilometers (190 miles) along the Japanese coast.
A tsunami measuring 1.2 meters was confirmed in Wajima city, Ishikawa prefecture, with expectations of a much higher tsunami, reaching five meters in Noto, as forecasted by the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA).
The series of quakes included a 7.6-magnitude quake at 4:10 pm, a 6.1-magnitude quake at 4:18 pm, a 4.5-magnitude quake at 4:23 pm, a 4.6-magnitude quake at 4:29 pm, and a 4.8-magnitude quake at 4:32 pm. Shortly after, a 6.2-magnitude quake hit the region, according to the USGS.
Broadcasters interrupted regular programming to deliver urgent messages, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing lives over belongings.
Japan, known for its strict construction regulations, has faced the haunting memory of the devastating 9.0-magnitude quake in March 2011, resulting in a tsunami that claimed around 18,500 lives and triggered a nuclear disaster at the Fukushima plant.
Despite routine emergency drills, Japan remains vigilant, having experienced a 7.4-magnitude quake off the coast of Fukushima in March 2022, claiming three lives.
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