Japan earthquake news LIVE: Panic buying sees shelves stripped of goods amid warnings more…


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VIDEO: Japan lowers tsunami alerts but warns coast residents of continued risk after earthquake horror

Terrified earthquake victim says his wife and children were out shopping when tragedy struck

Barnie Davies, from Kanazawa, said he was at home and his wife and children had gone out shopping when the earthquake struck the city.

‘As it started I thought it was another small one so I started taking a video for my family, but then it just got worse,’ he said.

‘When I went upstairs everything had fallen down.’

Barnie said his wife and children had to crouch down and cover their heads while out shopping.

The family have now evacuated their home and taken shelter in a local school gym, the BBC reported.

An entire building falls to the ground following earthquake in Japan

A horrifying image shows an entire building on its side following an earthquake in Wajima, Ishikawa prefecture, Japan.

A series of powerful earthquakes in western Japan damaged homes, cars and boats, with officials warning people on Tuesday to stay away from their homes in some areas because of a continuing risk of major quakes and tsunamis.

A second photo shows a firefighter walking through the rubble and wreckage of a burnt-out marketplace in Wajima today.

A building falls on the ground following an earthquake in Wajima, Ishikawa prefecture, Japan Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2024. A series of powerful earthquakes in western Japan damaged homes, cars and boats, with officials warning people on Tuesday to stay away from their homes in some areas because of a continuing risk of major quakes and tsunamis. (Kyodo News via AP)
A firefighter walks through the rubble and wreckage of a burnt-out marketplace following earthquake in Wajima, Ishikawa prefecture, Japan Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2024. A series of powerful earthquakes in western Japan damaged homes, cars and boats, with officials warning people on Tuesday to stay away from their homes in some areas because of a continuing risk of major quakes and tsunamis. (Kyodo News via AP)

Shocking photos reveal homes destroyed in aftermath of Japan earthquake horror

Homes can be seen destroyed in Wajima, Ishikawa prefecture, Japan, today after the earthquake left many areas in ruin.

Many of the 48 people confirmed to have died are in Suzu or Wajima, another city on the remote northern tip of the Noto peninsula.

People look at collapsed buildings following earthquake in Wajima, Ishikawa prefecture, Japan Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2024. A series of powerful earthquakes in western Japan damaged homes, cars and boats, with officials warning people on Tuesday to stay away from their homes in some areas because of a continuing risk of major quakes and tsunamis. (Kyodo News via AP)
People walk past burn-out marketplace following earthquake in Wajima, Ishikawa prefecture, Japan Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2024. A series of powerful earthquakes in western Japan damaged homes, cars and boats, with officials warning people on Tuesday to stay away from their homes in some areas because of a continuing risk of major quakes and tsunamis. (Kyodo News via AP)

About ’90 per cent of houses destroyed’ in coastal town near epicentre, according to mayor

In Suzu, a coastal town of just over 5,000 households near the quake’s epicentre, 90 per cent of houses may have been destroyed, according to its mayor Masuhiro Izumiya.

‘The situation is catastrophic,’ he said.

Many of the 48 people confirmed to have died are in Suzu or Wajima, another city on the remote northern tip of the Noto peninsula.

Japan’s Prime Minister Kishida said some 3,000 rescuers were finding it difficult to reach the northern tip of the peninsula where helicopter surveys had discovered many fires and widespread damage to buildings and infrastructure.

There are around 120 cases of people awaiting rescue, his government spokesperson said.

PICTURED: Devastation in worst-hit area near epicentre of the massive quake

Here are new pictures showing the devastation in the Ishikawa Prefecture, which is the worst-hit area near the epicentre of the quakes, one of which reached 7.6 in magnitude.

Houses collapsed and now lie in piles of rubble on the roads.

The roads themselves were so severely damaged in places that several towns in the region have been completely cut off.

In the coastal areas rubble and even cars were swept away by small tsunami waves.

ISHIKAWA PREFECTURE, JAPAN - JANUARY 02: Roads, buildings, and stores have collapsed following the earthquakes as the death toll from powerful earthquakes has climbed to 48, as the country deployed troops for rescue and relief operations in Nanao, Ishikawa Prefecture, Japan on January 02, 2023. (Photo by Ahmet Furkan Mercan/Anadolu via Getty Images)
Bystanders look at damages somewhere near Noto town in the Noto peninsula facing the Sea of Japan, northwest of Tokyo, Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2024, following Monday's deadly earthquake. A series of powerful earthquakes that hit western Japan damaged thousands of buildings, vehicles and boats. Officials warned that more quakes could lie ahead.  (AP Photo/Hiro Komae)
A woman bikes amid damaged houses in Noto town in the Noto peninsula facing the Sea of Japan, northwest of Tokyo, Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2024, following Monday's deadly earthquake. A series of powerful earthquakes that hit western Japan damaged thousands of buildings, vehicles and boats. Officials warned that more quakes could lie ahead. (AP Photo/Hiro Komae)
SUZU, JAPAN - JANUARY 02: A car has been washed away in a river after tsunami triggered by multiple strong earthquakes the previous day on January 2, 2024 in Suzu, Ishikawa, Japan. A tsunami warning was issued Japan's coastline after a series of earthquakes, the biggest measuring 7.6 magnitude, hit the areas around Toyama and Niigata in central Japan. At least 48 people confirmed dead in Ishikawa Prefecture, where is the epicenter of the earthquakes. (Photo by The Asahi Shimbun via Getty Images)

Earthquake ‘will be etched into residents’ memory forever’

On the Noto Peninsula, the destruction included buildings damaged by fire, houses flattened, fishing boats sunk or washed ashore, and highways hit by landslides.

‘I’m amazed the house is this broken and everyone in my family managed to come out of it unscathed,’ said resident Akiko, standing outside her parents’ tilting home in the badly hit city of Wajima.

The way 2024 started ‘will be etched into my memory forever’, she said after what she called the ‘long and violent’ earthquake yesterday.

WAJIMA, JAPAN - JANUARY 02: Houses damaged by earthquake are seen on January 02, 2024 in Wajima, Japan. A series of major earthquakes have reportedly killed at least 48 people, injured dozens more and destroyed a large amount of homes. The earthquakes, the biggest measuring 7.1 magnitude, hit the areas around Toyama and Niigata in central Japan on Monday. (Photo by Buddhika Weerasinghe/Getty Images)

South Korea protests to Japan about tsunami alerts showing disputed islets

South Korea has protested to Japan over a tsunami advisory issued by its neighbour that featured a map displaying a group of its islands also claimed by Tokyo, officials in Seoul said today.

Although ties have improved in recent years, the two remain at odds over the sovereignty of the islets, called Dokdo in South Korea and Takeshima in Japan (pictured below), which lie about halfway between them in the Sea of Japan, also known as the East Sea.

South Korea offered condolences for Monday’s disaster, but added that the islands, shown on the map issued by Japan’s weather agency, were not subject to any territorial dispute.

‘Our government has sternly protested to Japan through a diplomatic channel and requested corrective action,’ Lim Soo-suk, a spokesperson of the South Korean foreign ministry, told a briefing.

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Global leaders express solidarity with earthquake victims in Japan

Global leaders have taken to social media to express their solidarity with earthquake victims in Japan.

French president Emmanuel Macron wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter: ‘Solidarity with Japan which must overcome the consequences of strong earthquakes. We share the immense pain of the victims’ families.’

For Japanese Prime Minister Kishida he added: ‘You can count on the support and help from France.’

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said Italy ‘stands alongside the Japanese people in this difficult moment’.

She added: ‘We stand ready to provide Japan with all necessary help and support.’

German chancellor Olaf Scholz wrote: ‘After the severe earthquake in Japan, our thoughts are with the victims and their families who are now struggling with the consequences of this natural disaster. We stand by our Japanese friends.’

Massive earthquake ‘shifted land near the epicentre more than a metre to the west’

The massive 7.6-magnitude earthquake that hit Japan yesterday may have shifted the land near the epicentre up to 1.3 metres to the west, according to Japanese broadcaster NHK.

Japan’s Geospatial Information Authority reportedly recorded an observation point in Wajima City in the worst-hit Ishikawa Prefecture to have moved 1.3 metres to the west.

It also said there was a westward shift about 1 meter in Anamizu Town and 80 centimeters in Suzu City. An observation point in Nanao City’s Notojima moved 60 centimeters northwest toward the Sea of Japan coast.

Land appears to have shifted about 20 centimeters to the northwest in the prefectures of Toyama and Niigata. Several centimeters of land shifts were also observed in the Kanto-Koshin region and elsewhere.

WAJIMA, JAPAN - JANUARY 02: Asaichi Yokocho district where approximately 200 buildings have been burnt down after multiple strong earthquakes the previous day on January 2, 2024 in Wajima, Ishikawa, Japan. A tsunami warning was issued Japan's coastline after a series of earthquakes, the biggest measuring 7.1 magnitude, hit the areas around Toyama and Niigata in central Japan. At least 48 people confirmed dead in Ishikawa Prefecture, where is the epicenter of the earthquakes. (Photo by The Asahi Shimbun via Getty Images)

Rescuers face race against time as they dig through rubble for survivors buried alive

Japanese rescuers are battling the clock and powerful aftershocks today to find survivors after more than 150 earthquakes – ranging from magnitude 3.0 to 7.6 – caused wide-ranging destruction.

A major search and rescue operation continued into Tuesday, with Japan’s Prime Minister saying that rescue efforts had been made ‘extremely difficult due to damage to roads’ in the Ishikawa prefecture, near the epicentre of the quake.

But fears are growing that time is running out to find survivors trapped beneath the surface. The main highway through the district was completely closed, according to reports.

Water, power and phone service remains down across Ishikawa and beyond, and residents expressed sorrow about their destroyed homes and uncertain futures.

Around 2,500 emergency responders scrambled from big cities to help the search operation in the impacted coastal area, Nikkei Asia reported, as regional Governor Hiroshi Hasthat declared the first 24 hours is crucial to save as many people as possible.

Rescuers inspecting buildings and putting out fires in Wajima City in the Ishikawa prefecture can be seen below.

Police officers conduct a search operation at a destroyed house following an earthquake in Wajima, Ishikawa prefecture, Japan Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2024. A series of powerful earthquakes hit western Japan, damaging buildings, vehicles and boats, with officials warning people in some areas on Tuesday to stay away from their homes because of a risk of more strong quakes. (Kyodo News via AP)
WAJIMA, JAPAN - JANUARY 02: Police officers search for survivors at the Asaichi Yokocho district where approximately 200 buildings have been burnt down after multiple strong earthquakes the previous day on January 2, 2024 in Wajima, Ishikawa, Japan. A tsunami warning was issued Japan's coastline after a series of earthquakes, the biggest measuring 7.6 magnitude, hit the areas around Toyama and Niigata in central Japan. At least 30 people confirmed dead in Ishikawa Prefecture, where is the epicenter of the earthquakes. (Photo by The Asahi Shimbun via Getty Images)
Japanese Self-Defense Force soldiers and firefighters conduct rescue operations at a collapsed house caused by an earthquake in Wajima, Ishikawa prefecture, Japan January 2, 2024, in this handout photo released by the Joint Staff Office of the Defense Ministry of Japan. Joint Staff Office of the Defense Ministry of Japan/HANDOUT via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY.  MANDATORY CREDIT.
WAJIMA, JAPAN - JANUARY 02: A fire fighter battle at the Asaichi Yokocho district where approximately 200 buildings have been burnt down after multiple strong earthquakes the previous day on January 2, 2024 in Wajima, Ishikawa, Japan. A tsunami warning was issued Japan's coastline after a series of earthquakes, the biggest measuring 7.6 magnitude, hit the areas around Toyama and Niigata in central Japan. At least 30 people confirmed dead in Ishikawa Prefecture, where is the epicenter of the earthquakes. (Photo by The Asahi Shimbun via Getty Images)

Moment Japan earthquake raises pavement and cracks roads

Footage from the devastating earthquakes in Japan show the pavements seemingly coming alive as they are raised and cracked.

Many roads were left unusable after the quakes, cutting off several villages waiting for help.

More than 150 earthquakes hit Japan over the last 24 hours and officials warn more could be coming.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese shares support for earthquake victims in Japan

The Australian Prime Minister shered his support for the people of Japan in a post on social media.

Hundreds of earthquake victims in Shika town stand in line in a desperate bid to access drinking water

Hundreds of residents of the earthquake-hit Japanese town of Shika have stood in a queue to get rations of drinking water.

The line snaked out the door and around the town hall building, past paving stones jutting out of the ground that were forced upwards by the powerful series of tremors on New Year’s Day.

Taps ran dry in many homes as dozens of aftershocks rocked Shika and other towns in the central Ishikawa region following a 7.5-magnitude earthquake.

Resident Tsugumasa Mihara, 73, had just given his grandchildren a traditional New Year’s Day gift of pocket money and was taking a nap when he was rattled awake by the quake.

‘I was just helpless,’ he said. ‘All I could do at the time was pray that it would end soon.’

Now, ‘the problem is water’.

People receive water packs at the Shika Town hall in Shika, Ishikawa prefecture on January 2, 2024, a day after a major 7.5 magnitude earthquake struck the Noto region in Ishikawa prefecture. Japanese rescuers battled against the clock and powerful aftershocks on January 2 to find survivors of a major earthquake that struck on New Year's Day, killing at least six people and leaving a trail of destruction. (Photo by Kazuhiro NOGI / AFP) (Photo by KAZUHIRO NOGI/AFP via Getty Images)

Aerial photo shows shocking damage to Suzu city as tens of thousands of homes are destroyed in Japan

An aerial image shows an area of houses completely destroyed by the earthquake that has so far taken 48 lives.

Tens of thousands of houses and buildings have been turned to rubble and left terrified survivors to brave sub-zero temperatures on the streets.

TOPSHOT - This aerial photo provided by Jiji Press shows damage in the city of Suzu, Ishikawa prefecture on January 2, 2024, a day after a major 7.5 magnitude earthquake struck the Noto region in Ishikawa prefecture. Japanese rescuers battled against the clock and powerful aftershocks on January 2 to find survivors of a major earthquake that struck on New Year's Day, killing at least 30 people and causing widespread destruction. (Photo by JIJI PRESS / AFP) / Japan OUT (Photo by STR/JIJI PRESS/AFP via Getty Images)

Minister urges Japan to ‘stay alert’ for more earthquakes

Yoshimasa Hayashi, Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary, said the Prime Minister urged the government to ‘put lives first’ and to ‘understand the situation’ of the devastation caused by the earthquake.

He said: ‘To the people of Japan, please be on alert that there may be earthquakes for about a week of an intensity scale of up to seven.

‘To the people that live in areas where the shake was strong, please look out for evacuation information through local offices, on TV, radio, and internet and take action accordingly.’

Hayashi said there are 120 ‘cases of people’ who are waiting to be rescued and then adding ‘a total of 57,360 people have evacuated’.

epa11052743 Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida speaks on strong earthquake hitting central Japan at the prime minister's official residence in Tokyo, Japan, 02 January 2024. A strong earthquake hit a wide area on the Sea of Japan coast on 01 January, according to the National Police Agency. The earthquake recorded a maximum intensity of 7 on the Japanese seismic scale in the Noto Peninsula and triggered a major tsunami warning in Ishikawa Prefecture. Ishikawa Prefecture Government has announced six people were killed by the earthquake. The Fire and Disaster Management Agency has announced on 02 January 2024 about 30 people were injured by the earthquake. Emperor Naruhito cancelled celebration of the New Year with the public at the Imperial Palace on 02 January 2024.  EPA/JIJI PRESS JAPAN OUT EDITORIAL USE ONLY/

Aerial footage shows boats capsized in Suzu City after earthquake horror

Harrowing footage shows boats capsized and sinking in Suzu city after an earthquake rocked Japan on New Year’s Day.

The water can be seen littered with broken boat parts as other capsized boats are visible on the ground.

At least 48 people have died following the devastating 7.6 magnitude earthquake that that happened yesterday.

At least 48 people have died following the devastating 7.6 magnitude earthquake that rocked Japan’s main island of Honshu yesterday.

Tens of thousands of houses and buildings have been turned to rubble and left terrified survivors to brave sub-zero temperatures on the streets, unable to return to their homes.

Dozens of people are still missing and unaccounted for amid the New Year’s disaster, with the death toll expected to rise sharply as rescuers begin to recover victims buried beneath the debris.

Read the fully story at MailOnline:

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Japan earthquake victims create enormous SOS sign using folding chairs in grounds of university campus

The letters "SOS" are seen written on the ground by using chairs at Kanazawa University Noto Satoyama Satoumi Meister training field after an earthquake hit the region in Suzu, Ishikawa prefecture, Japan January 2, 2024, in this photo released by Kyodo. Mandatory credit Kyodo/via REUTERS   ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY. MANDATORY CREDIT. JAPAN OUT. NO COMMERCIAL OR EDITORIAL SALES IN JAPAN.

Daylight reveals full destruction of Japan’s deadly 7.6 magnitude earthquake with homes toppled, temples destroyed and white smoke rising from charred remains of buildings

As daylight broke across Japan this morning the full destruction of the deadly 7.6 magnitude earthquake was laid bare showing collapsed homes, toppled temples and huge cracks in the middle of roads.

White smoke continued to rise from the charred remains of buildings, as the country woke to the horrific aftermath after being hit with 150 quakes in less than 24 hours.

One building, believed to be a seven-storey block, was seen lying on its side while a temple in Suzu City is said to have been completely destroyed. In popular tourist site Wajima City, in the Ishikawa Prefecture at least 100 buildings have been destroyed.

Shocking images emerging from the country show houses flattened to the ground, with abandoned cars being engulfed into huge crevices in the road.

Smoke rises from the site of a fire occurred following an earthquake in Wajima, Ishikawa prefecture, Japan Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2024. A series of powerful earthquakes in western Japan left at least four people dead and damaged homes, cars and boats, with officials warning people on Tuesday to stay away from their homes in some areas because of a continuing risk of major quakes and tsunamis. (Kyodo News via AP)
epa11053071 An aerial view shows a collapsed building after a strong earthquake, in Wajima, central Japan, 02 January 2024. The Ishikawa Prefecture Government as well as the Fire and Disaster Management Agency announced that 30 people were killed by the magnitude 7 earthquake that struck the area on 01 January. In response to the severity of the situation, Emperor Naruhito cancelled the celebration of the New Year with the public at the Imperial Palace on 02 January 2024.  EPA/JIJI PRESS JAPAN OUT EDITORIAL USE ONLY
TOPSHOT - This aerial photo shows damaged and destroyed homes along a street in Wajima, Ishikawa prefecture on January 2, 2024, a day after a major 7.5 magnitude earthquake struck the Noto region in Ishikawa prefecture. Japanese rescuers battled against the clock and powerful aftershocks on January 2 to find survivors of a major earthquake that struck on New Year's Day, killing at least six people and leaving a trail of destruction. (Photo by Fred MERY / AFP) (Photo by FRED MERY/AFP via Getty Images)
WAJIMA, JAPAN - JANUARY 02: Police officers search for survivors at a collapsed house after multiple strong earthquakes the previous day on January 2, 2024 in Wajima, Ishikawa, Japan. A tsunami warning was issued Japan's coastline after a series of earthquakes, the biggest measuring 7.6 magnitude, hit the areas around Toyama and Niigata in central Japan. At least 30 people confirmed dead in Ishikawa Prefecture, where is the epicenter of the earthquakes. (Photo by The Asahi Shimbun via Getty Images)

At least 48 dead after monster Japan quake

We have just received the sad news that the death toll after the Japan quakes has reached 48.

This comes as Japanese rescuers are battling the clock and powerful aftershocks today to find survivors after more than 150 earthquakes – ranging from magnitude 3.0 to 7.6 – caused wide-ranging destruction.

The 7.6 magnitude quake that rattled Ishikawa prefecture on the main island of Honshu triggered tsunami waves more than a metre high, toppled houses, caused a major fire and tore apart roads.

Local authorities put the death toll at 48, but the number was expected to rise as rescuers comb through the rubble.

‘Very extensive damage has been confirmed, including numerous casualties, building collapses and fires,’ Prime Minister Fumio Kishida (pictured below) said after a disaster response meeting.

‘We have to race against time to search for and rescue victims of the disaster.’

Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida speaks at a press conference in Tokyo Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2024. A series of powerful earthquakes hit western Japan, damaging buildings, vehicles and boats, with officials warning people in some areas on Tuesday to stay away from their homes because of a risk of more strong quakes. (Kyodo News via AP)

RECAP: What we know so far about the devastating aftermath of the quakes

If you are just joining us now, here is a recap of what we know so far:

  • At least 48 people have died, but the death toll is expected to climb
  • Hundreds of buildings have been destroyed and several towns were cut off due to damaged roads and landslides
  • More than 150 earthquakes hit Japan in less than 24 hours and more are expected today
  • Rescuers are battling the clock to find survivors buried alive under collapsed houses

Welcome to MailOnline’s live blog

Good morning and welcome to MailOnline’s live blog.

We will bring you the latest developments in Japan as rescuers scramble to find survivors after more than 150 quakes hit the country in less than 24 hours.

Key Updates

  • Massive earthquake ‘shifted land near the epicentre more than a metre to the west’

  • Rescuers face race against time as they dig through rubble for survivors buried alive

  • Minister urges Japan to ‘stay alert’ for more earthquakes

  • At least 48 dead after monster Japan quake

  • RECAP: What we know so far about the devastating aftermath of the quakes




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