Japan quake death toll hits 30
The death toll from a powerful earthquake in central Japan rose to 30 on Tuesday, local authorities said, with 14 others seriously injured, AFP reports.
Half the deaths were recorded in the city of Wajima, where a huge blaze tore through homes, the Ishikawa prefectural government said.
The 7.5-magnitude quake, which hit Ishikawa prefecture on the main island of Honshu, triggered tsunami waves more than a metre high, toppled buildings, caused a major fire and tore apart roads.
Almost 33,000 households were without power in the region, which saw temperatures touch freezing overnight, the local energy provider said. Many cities were without running water.
The US Geological Survey (USGS) said the quake had a magnitude of 7.5. Japan's meteorological agency measured it at 7.6 and said it was one of more than 150 to shake the region through Tuesday morning.
Several strong jolts were felt early Tuesday, including one measuring 5.6 that prompted national broadcaster NHK to switch to a special programme.
