<h5>When did an earthquake strike Japan?</h5><p>On 1st January 2024, as the world celebrated the new year, a disaster happened in Japan. A massive earthquake hit the country. It destroyed buildings, ignited fires, and sent tsunami alerts as far away as eastern Russia.</p><p>The earthquake struck near Ishikawa prefecture’s Noto Peninsula. The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) immediately issued a tsunami warning for western Japan's coastal districts. The first waves were also reported to strike the coast around ten minutes later. Citizens were asked to evacuate the country’s threatened coastal districts.</p><p>A series of violent aftershocks followed the earthquake. The JMA said that aftershocks could continue for three days to a week. There are also possibilities of building collapses and landslides.</p><figure class="image"><img src="https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/newsahoot.appspot.com/o/earthquake-strikes-japan%2FEarthquake%202.jpg?alt=media&amp;token=033566f4-8669-4b94-b907-374cb46fc437"><figcaption>Collapsed building due to the earthquake. Photo by CNN.</figcaption></figure><h5>Oh no! What’s the current situation in Japan?</h5><div class="raw-html-embed"><figure> <video width="100%" controls=""> <source src="https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/newsahoot.appspot.com/o/earthquake-strikes-japan%2FEarthquake%203.mp4?alt=media&amp;token=4434afdb-12e5-40fc-8647-7fb74141c72a" type="video/mp4"> </video> <figcaption>A video showing the damage caused by the earthquake. Video by NDTV.</figcaption> </figure></div><p>The earthquake's epicentre was in the Ishikawa Prefecture. In the last 24 hours, over 35 aftershocks have struck around the epicentre of Japan's earthquake. At least 30 people have died as a result of the earthquake that hit Japan's west coast. Rescuers are trying to reach victims who are trapped under collapsed buildings.</p><p>There’s no electricity in many houses. Many buildings also got destroyed. Thankfully, the tsunami warning was withdrawn on the morning of 2nd January 2024. However, reports say 155 earthquakes have struck the country since the initial earthquake on Monday.</p><p>Many army personnel, firefighters, and police officials from across Japan have been sent to the worst-affected area in Ishikawa prefecture's Noto peninsula. However, rescue attempts have been delayed by badly damaged roads. The rescue teams are struggling to reach remote places where buildings have collapsed, roads have been destroyed, etc.</p><p>Many earthquake survivors have been moved to sports halls and school gymnasiums, which are regularly used as emergency evacuation centres. Also, reports say the earthquake hasn’t affected the nuclear plants in the region (this is good news).</p><h5>What was the world’s reaction to the earthquake?</h5><figure class="image"><img src="https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/newsahoot.appspot.com/o/earthquake-strikes-japan%2FEarthquake%204.jpg?alt=media&amp;token=46e2dddc-325f-4fca-acd1-ca8d6ace60d1"><figcaption>Emergency contact numbers released by the Indian Embassy. Photo by India in Japanインド大使館</figcaption></figure><p>People are sad due to what happened in Japan. Many have offered their condolences. The British Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, said they are ready to help Japan in any way possible. He also advised British nationals stuck in Japan’s affected areas to follow the advice of Japanese officials.</p><p>US President Joe Biden stated that his government was in contact with Japanese officials and was prepared to provide any required help to them. The Indian Embassy in Japan has established an emergency control room for Indian citizens affected by the earthquake. They have provided emergency contact numbers and email IDs for people to contact them.</p><p>Let’s hope Japan’s citizens are safely rescued and timely help reaches those who need it.</p>

The earthquake struck Japan on 1st January 2024.

Earthquake Strikes Japan

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