Powerful earthquakes hit western Japan

Firefighters search for people in the rubble of a collapsed house in the city of Wajima, Ishikawa prefecture on January 4, 2024, after a major 7.5 magnitude earthquake struck the Noto region in Ishikawa prefecture on New Year's Day. More than 50 people were reported missing January 4 as Japanese rescuers battled to reach hundreds still cut off from help three days after a devastating earthquake left at least 78 dead.

People walk past fallen utility poles and damaged buildings in the city of Wajima, Ishikawa prefecture on January 4, 2024, after a major 7.5 magnitude earthquake struck the Noto region in Ishikawa prefecture on New Year's Day. More than 50 people were reported missing on January 4 as Japanese rescuers battled to reach hundreds still cut off from help three days after a devastating earthquake left at least 78 dead.

Police officers search victims of a fire caused by powerful earthquake in Wajima in the Noto peninsula facing the Sea of Japan, northwest of Tokyo, Sunday, Jan. 7, 2024. Monday's temblor decimated houses, twisted and scarred roads and scattered boats like toys in the waters, and prompted tsunami warnings.

The Asaichi Yokocho, or Wajima Morning Market, area, is seen after a fire incident following an earthquake on January 05, 2024 in Wajima, Japan. On New Year's Day, a series of major earthquakes reportedly killed at least 92 people, injured dozens more and destroyed a large amount of homes. The earthquakes, the biggest measuring 7.1 magnitude, hit the areas around Ishikawa, Toyama and Niigata in central Japan.

Rescue workers search collapsed houses damaged by a powerful earthquake in Anamizu in the Noto peninsula facing the Sea of Japan, northwest of Tokyo, Thursday, Jan. 4, 2024. More soldiers have been ordered to bolster the rescue operations Thursday, providing those in need with drinking water hot meals and setting up bathing facilities after a magnitude 7.6 quake hit Ishikawa Prefecture and nearby regions Monday.

A person checks her belongings at a collapsed house damaged by a powerful earthquake in Anamizu in the Noto peninsula facing the Sea of Japan, northwest of Tokyo, Thursday, Jan. 4, 2024. More soldiers have been ordered to bolster the rescue operations Thursday, providing those in need with drinking water hot meals and setting up bathing facilities after a magnitude 7.6 quake hit Ishikawa Prefecture and nearby regions Monday.

A man stands in front of a fallen house caused by earthquakes in Suzu, Ishikawa prefecture, Japan, Thursday, Jan. 4, 2024. More soldiers have been ordered to bolster the rescue operations Thursday, providing those in need with drinking water hot meals and setting up bathing facilities after a magnitude 7.6 quake hit Ishikawa Prefecture and nearby regions Monday.

Evacuees from Monday's deadly earthquake cook rice balls at an evacuation center in Anamizu in the Noto peninsula facing the Sea of Japan, northwest of Tokyo, Thursday, Jan. 4, 2024. More soldiers have been ordered to bolster the rescue operations Thursday, providing those in need with drinking water hot meals and setting up bathing facilities after a magnitude 7.6 quake hit Ishikawa Prefecture and nearby regions Monday.

Utility workers fix an electricity pole in the aftermath of an earthquake on New Year's Day on Jan. 4, 2024, in Suzu, Japan. A series of major earthquakes have reportedly killed at least 78 people, injured dozens more, and destroyed a large amount of homes. The earthquakes, the biggest measuring 7.1 magnitude, hit the areas around Ishikawa, Toyama, and Niigata in central Japan on Monday.

Overturned fishing boats are seen at a port in Suzu, Japan, that was hit by a tsunami following an earthquake on Jan. 4, 2024. A series of major earthquakes have reportedly killed at least 78 people, injured dozens more, and destroyed a large amount of homes. The earthquakes, the biggest measuring 7.1 magnitude, hit the areas around Ishikawa, Toyama, and Niigata in central Japan on Monday.

A couple walks past damaged houses in the aftermath of an earthquake on New Year's Day on Jan. 4, 2024, in Anamizu, Japan. A series of major earthquakes have reportedly killed at least 78 people, injured dozens more, and destroyed a large amount of homes. The earthquakes, the biggest measuring 7.1 magnitude, hit the areas around Ishikawa, Toyama, and Niigata in central Japan on Monday.

This general view shows an area devastated by a quake-induced fire in the city of Wajima, Ishikawa prefecture, on Jan. 3, 2024, after a major 7.5 magnitude earthquake struck the Noto region in Ishikawa prefecture on New Year's Day. Japanese rescuers scrambled to search for survivors on Jan. 3 as authorities warned of landslides and heavy rain after a powerful earthquake that killed at least 62 people.

Travelers crowd the check-in area at terminal 2 at Tokyo International Airport at Haneda on Jan. 3, 2024, as flight delays on one of the busiest travel days of the year following the New Year's Day holidays were made worse due to the collision on the tarmac the night before between a coast guard plane and a Japan Airlines (JAL) passenger jet, shutting down one of the main runways. On Jan. 3, Japanese investigators probed about the near-catastrophic collision in Tokyo between the coast guard plane and JAL jet, with conflicting reports about what instructions air traffic control gave.

A resident (C) is carried out after being rescued by firefighters in the city of Suzu, Ishikawa prefecture, on Jan. 3, 2024, after a major 7.5 magnitude earthquake struck the Noto region in Ishikawa prefecture on New Year's Day. Japanese rescuers scrambled to search for survivors on Jan. 3 as authorities warned of landslides and heavy rain after a powerful earthquake that killed at least 62 people.

Firefighters work at the scene of a collapsed building in the city of Wajima, Ishikawa prefecture, on Jan. 3, 2024, after a major 7.5 magnitude earthquake struck the Noto region in Ishikawa prefecture on New Year's Day. Japanese rescuers scrambled to search for survivors on Jan. 3 as authorities warned of landslides and heavy rain after a powerful earthquake that killed at least 64 people.

Medical staffers attend evacuees at a temporary evacuation center in Suzu in the Noto peninsula facing the Sea of Japan, northwest of Tokyo, Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2024, following Monday's deadly earthquake.

Firefighters search the earthquake-hit area in Suzu, Ishikawa prefecture, Japan, Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2024. A series of powerful earthquakes that hit western Japan left multiple people dead Wednesday as rescue workers fought to save those feared trapped under the rubble of collapsed buildings.

A man walks past the debris in an area hit by a fire, following earthquakes in Wajima, Ishikawa prefecture, Japan, Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2024. A series of powerful earthquakes that hit western Japan left multiple people dead Wednesday as rescue workers fought to save those feared trapped under the rubble of collapsed buildings

A woman looks at her destroyed house in the earthquake-hit area in Wajima, Ishikawa prefecture, Japan, Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2024. A series of powerful earthquakes that hit western Japan left multiple people dead Wednesday as rescue workers fought to save those feared trapped under the rubble of collapsed buildings.

People make their way through fallen buildings in the earthquake-hit city of Suzu, Ishikawa prefecture, Japan, Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2024. A series of powerful earthquakes that hit western Japan left multiple people dead Wednesday as rescue workers fought to save those feared trapped under the rubble of collapsed buildings.

Firefighters search a fallen building hit by earthquakes in Wajima, Ishikawa prefecture, Japan, Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2024. A series of powerful earthquakes that hit western Japan left multiple people dead Wednesday as rescue workers fought to save those feared trapped under the rubble of collapsed buildings.

An evacuee volunteers to grill pieces of fish at a temporary evacuation center in Suzu in the Noto peninsula facing the Sea of Japan, northwest of Tokyo, Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2024, following Monday's deadly earthquake.

A collapsed house is seen following an earthquake on Jan. 3, 2024, in Anamizu, 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 Ishikawa, Toyama, and Niigata in central Japan on Monday.

A car is seen under a collapsed house following an earthquake on Jan. 3, 2024 in Anamizu, 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 Ishikawa, Toyama, and Niigata in central Japan on Monday.

A car is seen trapped under a collapsed house in Wajima, Ishikawa prefecture on January 2, 2024, a day after a major 7.5 magnitude earthquake struck the Noto region in Ishikawa prefecture in the afternoon. 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, reportedly killing more than 20 people and leaving a trail of destruction.

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 have damaged thousands of buildings, vehicles and boats. Officials warned that more quakes could lie ahead.

A building falls on the ground following an earthquake in Wajima, Ishikawa prefecture, Japan Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2024.

Smoke rises from the site of a fire occurred following an earthquake in Wajima, Ishikawa prefecture, Japan Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2024.

A man carries his belongings past a collapsed house following an earthquake in Wajima, Ishikawa prefecture, Japan Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2024

Residents shelter inside a plastic greenhouse after being evacuated in the city of Wajima, Ishikawa Prefecture, on Jan. 2, 2024, a day after a major 7.5 magnitude earthquake struck the Noto region in Ishikawa prefecture.

Houses fallen by an earthquake are seen in Kanazawa, Ishikawa prefecture, Japan Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2024.

This aerial photo provided by Jiji Press shows smoke rising from a house fire (top R) along with other damage along the coast in the town of Noto, Ishikawa prefecture on Jan. 2, 2024, a day after a major 7.5 magnitude earthquake struck the Noto region in Ishikawa prefecture.

Police make rescue operation at collapsed building following earthquake in Wajima, Ishikawa prefecture, Japan Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2024.

People make their way near a collapsed building due to an earthquake in Wajima, Ishikawa prefecture, Japan Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2024.

Smoke billows from houses burnt by a fire, following strong earthquake in Wajima, Ishikawa prefecture, Japan Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2024.

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 man stands in front of a destroyed candle store following an earthquake in Nanao, Ishikawa prefecture, Japan Tuesday, Jan, 2, 2024.

People walk through the damaged marketplace burnt by fire after earthquake in Wajima, Ishikawa prefecture, Japan Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2024.

Police officers conduct a search operation at a destroyed house following an earthquake in Wajima, Ishikawa prefecture, Japan Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2024.

A woman walks in front of collapsed houses following earthquake in Noto-cho, Ishikawa prefecture, Japan Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2024.

Damaged houses sit following an earthquake in Wajima, Ishikawa prefecture, Japan Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2024.

A burned car and debris are seen at a marketplace after a fire following strong earthquake in Wajima, Ishikawa prefecture, Japan Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2024.

People walk past a badly damaged house in the city of Nanao, Ishikawa Prefecture, on January 2, 2024, a day after a major 7.5 magnitude earthquake struck the Noto region in Ishikawa prefecture.

Cracks are seen on a bridge following an earthquake in Suzu, 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.

SOS letters formed by folding chairs are seen at a schoolyard after the strong earthquake in Suzu, Ishikawa prefecture, Japan, Jan. 2, 2024.