Japan lifted its highest-level tsunami alert on Monday after initially issuing it in response to a series of significant earthquakes. However, coastal residents were advised against returning home as the threat of deadly waves persisted.
The earthquakes, the most powerful registering a magnitude of 7.6, caused fires and building collapses along the west coast of Japan’s primary island, Honshu. The extent of casualties or injuries remained unclear.
The Japan Meteorological Agency recorded over a dozen strong earthquakes in the Japan Sea, near Ishikawa and neighboring prefectures, beginning shortly after 4 p.m. local time.
At least six homes were damaged, trapping individuals inside, according to government spokesman Yoshimasa Hayashi, the Associated Press reported.
A fire erupted in Wajima city, Ishikawa Prefecture, leading to power outages for over 30,000 households.
Initially, the meteorological agency issued a major tsunami warning for Ishikawa and lower-level tsunami warnings or advisories for the remaining western coast of Honshu, as well as the northernmost island of Hokkaido.
Written by B.C. Begley
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B.C. Begley 