A powerful earthquake in Japan killed 24 people
The natural disaster occurred in the area of the Noto Peninsula.
The number of victims of a series of earthquakes in Japan has increased to 24. This was reported by the Kyodo agency, Kazinform agency reports.
The Air Force, in turn, provides more detailed information and reports that the Japanese authorities are warning of significant destruction and numerous casualties - the scale of the tragedy can be assessed when the rescuers reach the affected areas.
"A very large amount of damage has been confirmed, including numerous casualties, collapses and fires," said Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, speaking about the "race against time" to save the victims.
A magnitude 7.6 earthquake occurred on Monday in central Japan near the Noto Peninsula in Ishikawa Prefecture. Many buildings were destroyed, and tens of thousands of people were left without electricity.
According to the Japanese government, more than 97,000 people were ordered to evacuate and spent the last night in gyms and schools, which are used as evacuation centers in emergency situations.
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said that the main roads to the most affected areas were severely damaged by the elements, which complicates the rescue operation, in which the military is involved.
"The self-defense forces will face many difficulties to get to the affected areas, as the roads were cut off, but people trapped in the buildings should be rescued as soon as possible before the buildings collapse," he said.
NHK reported that doctors, in particular, cannot reach the hospital in the disaster-affected city of Suzu in Ishikawa Prefecture.
