On January 1, 2024 a 7.5 magnitude earthquake hit Japan, with killing at least 200 people. About 500 were stranded in airports, unable to leave at all. Blankets and food were provided because they were unable to travel due to the roads also being destroyed. The city of Wajima was hit the worst by this humongous earthquake. Wajima officials disclosed to CNN that at least 15 people were confirmed dead in the city. The Fire department reported that more than 200 buildings were burned down from a fire that broke out after the earthquake. But doctors were unable to help treat wounded patients because they aren’t able to go to work at all.

The earthquake was so powerful that it caused Japan’s Noto Peninsula coastline to shift upward. Collapsed buildings and fires are raging everywhere as households remain without any electrical power at all. Bullet trains have trapped nearly 1,000 passengers for hours while Japan’s fire departments have been responding to reports of people being trapped under collapsed buildings all day.

After the earthquake, Japan has been having aftershocks daily. Tsunami alerts were also sent out everywhere throughout Japan,with the weather having a big impact on people who are sleeping in their cars because of the major snow storm in Japan. All destroyed roads are planned on being repaired. Rescuers are still searching for missing people.