Japan earthquake: Death toll rises to 30, several feared to be trapped; tsunami warnings lifted

At least 30 people were killed and several others feared to be trapped under the rubble after a 7.6 magnitude earthquake struck Ishikawa prefecture on Honshu on Monday. The earthquake triggered tsunami waves over a meter in height, leading to the collapse of buildings, a major fire outbreak, and the destruction of roads. As of Tuesday morning, Japan has lifted the tsunami warnings issued in the aftermath of the initial quake.

The massive earthquake resulted in widespread devastation in the Noto Peninsula where several buildings caught fire buildings, multiple buildings were razed to the ground, fishing boats sunken or washed ashore, and highways were severely affected by landslides.

The death toll, as reported by local authorities, stood at 30, with half of the casualties occurring in Wajima, and the numbers are expected to increase as the rescue teams continue to carry out their operations through the debris.

Aerial footage shown by the local media depicts the destruction following a fire that swept through Wajima, resulting in the collapse of a seven-story commercial building. In the affected region, nearly 33,000 households experienced power outages overnight in freezing temperatures. In addition, several cities faced water shortages.

Japan's meteorological agency recorded the earthquake at a 7.6 magnitude, noting that it was one of over 150 earthquakes affecting the region until Tuesday morning. Early on Tuesday, there were several intense tremors, including one with a magnitude of 5.6. On Monday, Wajima experienced waves at least 1.2 meters high, accompanied by smaller tsunamis reported elsewhere. However, as of now, Japan has lifted all tsunami warnings on Tuesday, stating that they were unlikely to hit the region.