At least 20 people have reportedly died since the magnitude 7.6 quake struck the West Coast on New Year’s Day.

At least 20 people were reported dead after a powerful earthquake struck the coast of central Japan on New Year’s Day. Prime Minister Fumio Kishida warned that damage was “widespread” and the number of victims was likely to rise.

The 7.6 magnitude quake The disaster struck near the Noto Peninsula in Ishikawa Prefecture on Monday afternoon, triggering the country’s first major tsunami warning since Earthquake and tsunami in March 2011 As a result, around 18,500 people died or went missing in the northeast.

On Tuesday, Kishida said “significant damage” had been confirmed as the quake collapsed buildings and sparked fires.

There were “numerous” victims, he said, adding that it was a “race against time” to rescue the victims.

The tsunami warning, which was later downgraded, was lifted on Tuesday morning.

Citing local authorities, the Kyodo news agency reported more than 20 deaths from the disaster. Public broadcaster NHK said 15 had died in the hard-hit town of Wajima, near the epicenter, where 14 people were reported to be trapped in collapsed buildings. In nearby Suzu, some doctors were unable to reach a hospital that relied on a backup generator, they said.

Japan’s disaster agency said it received unconfirmed reports of 19 deaths on Tuesday, but official updates on the number were rare.

The Japan Meteorological Agency said the country had been hit by 155 earthquakes since the first quake on Monday.

Wajima was hit by a tsunami at least 1.2 meters (4 feet) high and aerial footage showed the devastation caused by a major fire as a seven-story building collapsed in the port.

The fire engulfed a number of houses. People were evacuated in the dark, some with blankets, others with babies.

Nobuko Sugimori, a 74-year-old resident of Nanao town in Ishikawa, said she had never experienced such a quake before.

“I tried to hold the TV so it wouldn’t tip over, but I couldn’t even stop myself from swaying violently from side to side,” Sugimori told Reuters from her home, whose front wall had a large crack in it Interior scattered furniture.

Across the street, 73-year-old Fujiko Ueno was counting her blessings.

She said nearly 20 people were at her home for a New Year’s celebration when the quake struck, but no one was hurt.

“It all happened in the blink of an eye,” she said, standing on the street among the rubble of the debris and the mud seeping from the cracked road.

Nearly 100,000 people in nine prefectures were evacuated and spent the night in sports halls and school gymnasiums, which are commonly used as emergency evacuation centers in Japan.

According to Hokuriku Electric Power’s website, nearly 33,000 households remained without power in Ishikawa Prefecture early Tuesday morning. NHK said most areas in the northern Noto Peninsula were also without water.

Due to the disaster, the Imperial Household Agency canceled the New Year’s appearance of Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako, which was scheduled for Tuesday.

Japan’s allies expressed concern about the disaster and said they were ready to offer help.

“As close allies, the United States and Japan share a deep friendship that unites our people. “Our thoughts are with the Japanese people at this difficult time,” U.S. President Joe Biden said in a statement.

French President Emmanuel Macron expressed his “solidarity,” while Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni expressed her condolences and support.

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said he was monitoring developments.

“My thoughts are with everyone affected by the earthquakes in Japan, which have caused such terrible damage,” he said.