Japan lifts tsunami warnings but warns quake damage ‘widespread’
Al Jazeera
At least 20 people reported dead since the 7.6 magnitude quake struck the west coast on New Year’s Day.
At least 20 people have been reported dead after a massive earthquake hit the coast of central Japan on New Year’s Day with Prime Minister Fumio Kishida warning that damage was “widespread” and casualties were likely to rise.
The 7.6 magnitude quake struck on Monday afternoon near the Noto Peninsula in Ishikawa Prefecture, triggering the country’s first major tsunami warning since the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami that left about 18,500 people dead or missing in the northeast.
Speaking on Tuesday, Kishida said “extensive damage” had been confirmed with the quake bringing down buildings and triggering fires.
Casualties were “numerous” he said, adding that it would be a “race against time” to rescue victims.
The tsunami warning, which was later downgraded, was lifted on Tuesday morning.
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