Update: The death toll in Monday's earthquake has reached 30 on Tuesday morning, according to public broadcaster NHK.
Read original story below:
A series of earthquakes, with magnitude as powerful as 7.6 on Richter scale, rattled the western coast of Japan on Monday, killing at least 12 people and injuring several others, according to local media reports. Over 90 tremors were detected since the quake first hit on Monday, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency.
The agency warned that more major quakes could strike the region in the coming days. A quake warning was issued to Ishikawa prefecture, according to Reuters. Local media reported at least 12 people were killed so far with most casualties in Ishikawa's Wajima city, which is near the epicentre where a fire reupted following the quakes.
One of the airports in the region was shut due to cracks in the runway and many trains and flights were also suspended. Several roads, buildings, vehicles and boats were also destroyed.
About 33,000 homes were left without power amid freezing temperatures, according to Hokuriku Electric Power's website. Water supply and internet services in a few areas were also disrupted, as per reports.
Officials have warned local residents to stay away from their homes on Tuesday amid threats of subsequent quakes. After tsunami waves of up to 1 metre hit the western coast, several residents were also forced to move to higher grounds.
"Saving lives is our priority and we are fighting a battle against time. It is critical that people trapped in homes get rescued immediately," said Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, adding that rescuers were finding it very difficult to reach the northern tip of the remote Noto peninsula due to damaged roads.
