Japan Meteorological Agency

Japan Earthquake Claims At Least 48 Lives, No Bulgarian Injuries Reported Amid Rescue Operations

Tragedy struck Japan as a powerful earthquake measuring 7.6 on the Richter scale claimed the lives of at least 48 individuals in the first hours of the New Year, according to BBC reports. The quake's epicenter was located in Ishikawa Prefecture, prompting immediate response efforts and warnings from the Japan Meteorological Agency, which later canceled tsunami alerts.

Major Japan quake prompts tsunami warning, residents told to run

A powerful 7.5 earthquake hit central Japan on Monday, the USGS said, prompting tsunami warnings and authorities to urge people in the area to move to higher ground.

"All residents must evacuate immediately to higher ground," national broadcaster NHK said after the quake hit the Noto region in Ishikawa prefecture around 4:10 pm (0710 GMT).