Japan warns of tsunamis after fatal series of earthquakes

The Japan Meteorological Association on Monday reported more than a dozen earthquakes along Japan’s central west coast. The strongest quake registered a magnitude of 7.5, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. Powerful aftershocks collapsed thousands of buildings, caused fires, and prompted tsunami warnings. The earthquakes killed at least 48 people and injured 16, Japanese officials said Tuesday. Authorities warned residents of coastal areas not to return to their homes due to the threat of high waves.

What other damage did the quakes cause? As many as 30,000 households could be without power, Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi told Japanese public broadcaster NKH on Monday. Officials closed at least five highways and canceled flights at an airport. At least 8,500 military personnel were on standby to help with rescue and recovery efforts, said Japan’s Defense Minister Minoru Kihara.

Dig deeper: Read Sharon Dierberger and Onize Ohikere’s report in WORLD Magazine about a major earthquake in Turkey and Syria last year.