Internet flooded with videos of destruction as Japan lifts tsunami warnings after deadly earthquake

ISHIKAWA, JAPAN: Japan has been hit by a deadly earthquake that claimed at least 48 lives. As the country lifts its tsunami warnings, social media platforms are flooded with "devastating" footage from the disaster.

The heart-wrenching visuals have captured the world's attention, underscoring the immense loss and destruction caused by the natural calamity.

Deadly earthquake hits Japan

On Tuesday, January 2, harrowing scenes of destruction unfolded along the western coast of Japan as rescue teams hurried to free residents trapped in the debris of a 7.5 magnitude earthquake that set off numerous aftershocks and claimed the lives of dozens.

The earthquake rattled the Noto Peninsula in Ishikawa's central prefecture on Monday afternoon, causing buildings to crumble, igniting fires, and setting off tsunami warnings as distant as eastern Russia.

As of Tuesday afternoon, the death toll had reached at least 48, as confirmed by a spokesperson for Ishikawa prefecture to CNN.

While Japan's Meteorological Agency lifted all tsunami advisories for parts of the country’s western coast on Tuesday, access to the northern region of the remote Noto Peninsula remained restricted more than 24 hours post-quake.

Following a disaster emergency meeting on Tuesday, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida informed reporters that a demolished road had obstructed access to the affected area.

Destruction in 'land of the rising sun'

Officials, who surveyed the peninsula from helicopters, reported observing damaged roads, landslides, and extensive fires in the area, which is renowned for its coastal views and rustic landscapes, he stated.

"To secure the route there, we are to mobilize all the means of transport, not only on the ground but also by aerial and marine transport. We have been making an effort to transfer goods, supplies and personnel there since the last night," Kishida noted.

Wajima, a central city with a population exceeding 27,000, seemed to be one of the most severely affected areas. City officials reported to CNN that there were 15 confirmed fatalities.

Known for its morning market and exquisite traditional lacquerware, the coastal city was seen from aerial surveys on Tuesday to be engulfed in large smoke plumes from smoldering fires amidst streets of ruined buildings.

Around 45,700 households in Ishikawa were reportedly still without power, as reported by the power company Hokuriku Electric Power.

Post-earthquake, no irregularities were reported at nearby nuclear plants, according to Japan's Kansai Electric and Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi.

Four high-speed bullet trains, which had been immobilized due to the earthquake, trapping nearly 1,400 passengers for about 11 hours, reportedly resumed operations on Tuesday morning.

These high-speed trains had been stuck between the central cities of Toyama and Kanazawa due to the 7.5 magnitude tremor.

Japan lifts tsunami warnings

The severe earthquake on Monday led the Japan Meteorological Agency to issue an immediate "major tsunami warning" for Noto - the first since the catastrophic earthquake and tsunami in 2011. This was later downgraded to a "tsunami warning".

As the threat of additional tsunami waves decreased, the tsunami warnings were eventually canceled.

The initial waves were reported to have hit the coast just over 10 minutes post-earthquake.

Videos showing a wave surging over a protective sea wall in the western city of Suzu on Monday has been circulating on social media.

Footage of devastation seen across social media 

Heart-wrenching visuals flooded social media after Japan was hit by the natural calamity.

A series of 21 earthquakes with magnitudes exceeding 4.0 were recorded, per Daily Mail. 

Videos disseminated on social media and aired on Japanese television depicted the collapse of buildings in Suzu, a city near the epicenter of the most significant quake, accompanied by the emergence of substantial fissures in the roads.

One video captured a hefty stone lantern crumbling upon impact when the earthquake hit Hachimangu Shrine in Sanjo City, Niigata Prefecture.

Scared spectators were observed holding onto each other as the revered structures crumbled in their vicinity.

In another video, a large branch from a tree at the shrine was seen falling and knocking an individual down, who then swiftly rose to their feet.

Additional footage depicted frightened shoppers being knocked down in department stores and a train station flooding due to burst water pipes, coinciding with the arrival of the initial tsunami waves along the coastlines.

A X user tweeted with a devastating video of the earthquake, "I hope everybody is safe."

One video illustrates the aftermath of the earthquake in Central Japan where the impact of the tremors is evident in the cracked roads and elevating pavements.

"The damage in Japan is endless. Such a horrible way to start 2024 #japan #earthquake," another user said.  

One person said, "Pray for #Japan 2024 started on a bad note #tsunami #earthquake."

"Prayers and peace for japan may god protect Japan from this disaster and a devastating earthquake struck and warning issued of #Tsunami," noted another. 

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.