Battle against time: Daylight reveals full destruction of Japan earthquake

As daylight broke across Japan the destruction of the deadly 7.6 magnitude quake revealed itself, with at least 30 people confirmed to be killed.  The quake measured at a preliminary magnitude of 7.6 struck Japan’s west coast on Monday afternoon, prompting residents in some coastal areas to flee to higher ground. 

The earthquake struck in Ishikawa prefecture in central Japan on Monday afternoon, triggering tsunami warnings for regions along the western coast. Rescue teams on Tuesday were struggling to reach isolated areas where some houses and cars were swept to sea, while buildings were toppled, roads sunk in, power disconnected to thousands of homes. Rescue personnel from across the country have been dispatched to the worst-hit area in the Noto peninsula in Ishikawa prefecture.

“The search and rescue of those impacted by the quake is a battle against time,” Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said during an emergency disaster meeting on Tuesday.