Earthquake in Japan; Tsunami warning has been issued, there are fatalities

A 7.6-magnitude earthquake rocked the Japanese island of Honshu on Monday, and meteorological agencies warned that tsunami waves up to five meters high were possible along the coast.
The quake sent waves about a meter high along Japan's west coast and South Korea, but authorities warned that bigger waves could follow.
The Japan Meteorological Agency issued a tsunami warning for Ishikawa, Niigata and Toyama prefectures. Ishikawa Prefecture was initially issued the most serious warning since the devastating tsunami in March 2011, but the alert level was later lowered.
US and Japanese agencies initially warned of the possibility of dangerous tsunami waves up to five meters high on the northern coast of central Japan within a radius of 300 kilometers from the earthquake's epicenter.
So far, there are no reports that people have died in the earthquake. The government announced that no abnormality was recorded at Japan's nuclear power plants after the earthquake.
The Noto area of ​​Ishikawa Prefecture was rocked by several strong earthquakes today, the first of which was a magnitude 5.7. Subsequent earthquakes ranged in magnitude from 4.5 to 7.6. More than 50 earthquakes were stronger than magnitude 3.2, Japanese authorities reported.
When the earthquakes started, broadcasters stopped their regular programs and called on residents in the earthquake-affected areas to evacuate to safer places immediately. A government spokesman warned that people should leave coastal areas. "Every minute counts. Evacuate Luz immediately to safer areas," the official called.
The government said it was still assessing the damage caused by the earthquakes.
Videos posted on social media show cars and buildings shaking violently in Ishikawa, and people in stores and train stations terrified. The photo shows collapsed buildings and huge cracks in the street surfaces.
A government spokesman said at least six people were trapped in the rubble, but did not give further details.
A large fire broke out in Vadzim, which engulfed several houses, TV channels reported. Firefighters had difficulty accessing the scene due to damaged roads and other obstacles. One of the city's firefighters told the AFP news agency that the service was overwhelmed and received many calls to places where people were injured or trapped.
About 33,500 households were left without electricity in the area most affected by the earthquake.
Many buildings have collapsed in Suzu, Ishikawa Prefecture.
The army is involved in rescue operations. The Ministry of Defense informed that 1,000 soldiers will go to the earthquake-affected region and another 8,500 are on standby. About 20 army aircraft are involved in earthquake damage assessment.
Railway traffic has been suspended and several highways have been closed in the earthquake-affected region. Mobile phone communications were also disrupted in places and water pipes were broken. Air traffic is also disrupted.
The Japan Meteorological Agency warned that more landfalls are possible in the region this week, especially in the next two or three days. The agency also warned that earthquakes could trigger landslides.
Tsunami warnings were also issued for North Korea and Russia's Sakhalin Island. In South Korea, the meteorological agency called on residents of several cities along the east coast to monitor possible changes in sea level.
Japan experiences hundreds of earthquakes every year, and most of them do not cause any damage. The country has strict building codes that ensure buildings can withstand strong earthquakes, and regular drills are held to prepare for major tremors. However, Japan is still haunted by memories of March 11, 2011, when the country was shaken by a strong earthquake of magnitude nine, which was followed by a devastating tsunami and a nuclear disaster at the Fukushima nuclear power plant. About 18,500 people lost their lives or went missing in these disasters.
LETA reports that four people died in the earthquakes that occurred in Japan on Monday, referring to the authorities in Ishikawa Prefecture, Kyodo news agency reported.
Ishikawa Prefecture was rocked by several earthquakes, the strongest of which was a magnitude 7.6.
The earthquakes caused tsunami waves about a meter high. Dozens of buildings collapsed and thousands of households were left without electricity. Rail traffic was suspended and several highways were closed in the earthquake-hit region. Mobile phone communications were also disrupted in places and water pipes were broken. Air traffic is also disrupted.
The Japan Meteorological Agency warned that more landfalls are possible in the region this week, especially in the next two or three days.