Quake in Japan: At least six people killed in Japan after M7.6 quake
At least six people have been reported dead in Ishikawa Prefecture on the Sea of Japan, after a magnitude 7.6 earthquake struck the region on Monday afternoon, announced the Japanese TV channel NHK.
Japan's Meteorological Agency has downgraded all tsunami warnings along the Sea of Japan to advisories. But the agency is urging residents to remain on the alert for more possible quakes and tsunami.
Several cities in Ishikawa observed tsunami. Wajima reported one over 120 centimeters and Kanazawa recorded one at 90 centimeters.
Police in Ishikawa say one elderly man was confirmed dead after being rescued from a collapsed house. They say they've confirmed the death of five others.
The fire department says it has received more than 50 reports of collapsed houses. They are also responding to reports of people trapped under damaged buildings. Authorities and hospitals told NHK that dozens of people have been injured in four other prefectures including Niigata and Toyama.
City officials in Wajima say a fire broke out in the center of the city, damaging more than 50 stores and houses.
The Meteorological Agency says that following the magnitude 7.6 earthquake, it has observed about 100 jolts in the region.
