Series of earthquakes jolt Japan
A series of powerful earthquakes hit western Japan, leaving at least eight people dead and 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. (Image source: AP)
Quake prompted residents to flee to higher grounds
The quake with a preliminary magnitude of 7.6 struck in the middle of the afternoon on Monday, prompting residents in some coastal areas to flee to higher ground as tsunami waves hit Japan's west coast. (Image source: AP)
Massive scale of destruction
The scale of the destruction in Japan's Ishikawa emerged with buildings still smouldering, houses flattened and fishing boats sunk or washed ashore. (Image source: AP)
More than 97,000 people ordered to evacuate their homes
The Japanese government ordered more than 97,000 people to evacuate their homes on Monday night, sending them to sports halls and school gymnasiums, commonly used as evacuation centres in emergencies. (Image source: AP)
Households without electricity and water supply
Around 33,000 households remained without power in Ishikawa prefecture early on Tuesday morning after a night where temperatures dropped below freezing, according to Hokuriku Electric Power's website. Most areas in the northern Noto peninsula also have no water supply. (Image source: AP)
Rescue teams struggled to reach isolated areas hit by a powerful earthquake
Rescue teams in Japan on Tuesday struggled to reach isolated areas hit by a powerful earthquake on New Year's Day, with reports of more than 20 people dead in a disaster that toppled buildings and knocked out power to thousands of homes. (Image source: AP)
Helicopter surveys discovered many fires and widespread damage
Rescuers found it very difficult to reach the northern tip of the Noto peninsula due to wrecked roads, and that helicopter surveys had discovered many fires and widespread damage to buildings and infrastructure. (Image source: AP)
Sensitive time for Japan's nuclear industry
The quake comes at a sensitive time for Japan's nuclear industry, which has faced fierce opposition from some locals since the 2011 earthquake and tsunami that triggered nuclear meltdowns in Fukushima. Whole towns were devastated in that disaster. (Image source: AP)