Payam Javan: A devastating earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 7.6 struck Japan on New Year’s Day, resulting in at least 48 confirmed fatalities and widespread destruction.

The quake triggered tsunami waves, leading to evacuations in coastal areas and causing significant damage to buildings, roads, and infrastructure. Rescue teams, comprising 3,000 personnel, are facing challenges in reaching isolated areas on the Noto peninsula in Ishikawa prefecture.

Prime Minister Fumio Kishida emphasized the urgency of the search and rescue efforts, highlighting the difficulty in accessing the northern tip of the peninsula. The affected region is grappling with power outages, suspended transportation services, and numerous people awaiting rescue.

The earthquake is considered Japan’s deadliest since 2016, with casualties concentrated in Wajima, a city on the remote northern tip of the Noto peninsula. The Japan Meteorological Agency warns of potential strong aftershocks in the coming days, as the nation mobilizes to address the aftermath of this catastrophic event.