Key points:
- Ishikawa prefecture reported building damage and power disruptions
- A brief tsunami advisory was issued and later lifted
- Emergency teams initiated rapid assessments and restoration work
ISLAMABAD: A magnitude 6.3 earthquake hit central Japan on Monday, injuring at least 30 people and damaging infrastructure across Ishikawa prefecture.
The powerful tremor, centred near the Noto Peninsula, triggered a short-lived tsunami advisory as coastal communities executed standard evacuation protocols.
Japan’s Fire and Disaster Management Agency confirmed that injuries were largely minor, though rescue crews were deployed to inspect collapsed walls, older wooden structures, and neighbourhoods where reports of trapped residents briefly surfaced. Local authorities also cited broken water pipes, cracked roads, and scattered power outages affecting thousands of households.
The Japan Meteorological Agency said aftershocks are expected in the coming hours, cautioning residents to stay alert to unstable structures. The quake was felt across wide stretches of Honshu, prompting safety inspections on rail networks, highways, and public buildings. Several schools reported safe evacuations as part of their emergency procedures.
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida directed federal emergency units to support local administrations and restore essential services without delay. Utility companies mobilised repair teams through the afternoon, and shelters were readied for families who left their homes due to structural concerns. Weather conditions remained favourable, allowing uninterrupted search, inspection, and relief efforts.
