Ishikawa Noto Earthquakes

A huge earthquake with a magnitude of 6.9 occurred at 9:42 a.m. on March 25 (Japan Time) in the Hokuriku region, Japan. It's reported that one person was killed and more than 160 people were injured by the earthquake at this point in Ishikawa, Toyama, and Niigata prefectures.

According to the Japan Meteorological Agency, the center of the earthquake was in the sea off the Noto Peninsula. It's about 30 km southwest of Wajima-city, Ishikawa prefecture.

The earthquake measured higher 6 on the Japanese seismic intensity scale in Nanao-city, Wajima-city, and Anamizu-machi in Ishikawa. The earthquake left huge damages especially in Ishikawa prefecture. In Ishikawa, it's reported that about 40 houses were collapsed and more than 200 houses were partially damaged. Also, about 1,000 people have been evacuated to shelters.

Because of the cracks on runways, Noto Airport has been closed. Also, most of the JR-West train services in Ishikawa and Toyama prefectures have been suspended.

Several large earthquakes hit on Hokuriku region since this morning. Japan Meteorological Agency warns against possible huge aftershocks for a week.