Deadly Earthquake Strikes Japan's West Coast

Multiple Fatalities Reported, Significant Damage Expected

A 7.5-magnitude earthquake has struck the west coast of Japan on Monday, causing multiple fatalities and widespread damage, according to local authorities. The epicenter of the quake was located off the coast of Ishikawa Prefecture, near the city of Wajima, and struck at approximately 10:22 AM local time.

Japan is located in one of the most active seismic and volcanic zones in the world, and is frequently affected by earthquakes and volcanic disasters. A strong earthquake registering an upper 5 on the Japanese seismic intensity scale struck the Noto Peninsula in the prefecture early Monday morning, causing buildings to shake and power outages to occur.

The Japan Meteorological Agency has issued a tsunami warning for the coastal areas of Ishikawa Prefecture, and residents are advised to evacuate to higher ground. The agency is also urging people to be aware of the risk of aftershocks, and to take precautions to ensure their safety.