International
They observe a tsunami of up to half a meter after the 7.1 earthquake in Japan, which leaves 2 injured
A tsunami of up to half a meter hit the Pacific coasts of southwestern Japan on Thursday after a strong earthquake of magnitude 7.1 in the region, which left at least nine minor injuries, while personal and material damage continues to be evaluated.
The earthquake took place at 16:43 local time (07:43 GMT) at a depth of 30 kilometers in the Sea of Hyuga, off the coast of Miyazaki Prefecture, on the southern island of Kyushu, according to details from the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA), which triggered a tsunami alert of up to one meter in areas near the epicenter.
The first waves of the tsunami were detected at 17:01 (08:01 GMT) in the port of the city of Nichinan, in front of the epicenter, where it reached 20 centimeters, later reaching 40 cm in the port of Aburatsu, in the same city.
The highest altitude tsunami, half a meter, was observed in the port of Miyazaki and others of 30 centimeters were recorded in the city of Tosashimizu, Kochi prefecture, on the neighboring island of Shikoku; in the port of Shibushi, in Kagoshima (Kyushu) and in the city of Minamiosumi, of the same province, among other locations, without damage from the phenomenon having been reported at the moment.
About five hours after the earthquake, around 22:00 local time (13:00 GMT), the tsunami alert was completely lifted in the affected areas, although a warning was maintained for possible slight changes in sea level.
The tremor reached in the east of Miyazaki Prefecture the lower intensity 6 on the Japanese 7-level seismic scale, which measures the agitation on the surface and its destructive potential, and the lower intensity 5 in neighboring Kagoshima.
The authorities continued hours later to evaluate the scale of the damage caused by the earthquake, which has left at least nine injured, five in Miyazaki and four in Kagoshima, according to the most recent balance provided by the Japanese public broadcaster NHK.
In the town of Nichinan, a detachment of rocks and fallen electric poles was reported, so traffic had to be regulated on certain roads.
Due to the earthquake, local train lines in Miyazaki and Kagoshima have also been suspended, and sections of highways in the area have been cut to check their status.
In the village of Osaki, in Kagoshima, an old wooden house collapsed, without any injuries being reported from the incident, and reports of collapsed walls and damaged roads were received.
In the city of Kushima, Miyazaki, authorities received reports of damaged and leaking pipes, and there could be more damage to other infrastructures, as the evaluation continues.
Nuclear power plant operators in the region reported that no anomalies or damage was detected in the reactors of the Sendai power plants, in Kagoshima, and Ikata, in Ehime.
Residents of the affected areas turned to social networks to share images of gender scattered in shops and shelves dumped on homes because of the earthquake.
It is expected to have greater knowledge about the extent of the damage in the coming hours, especially with the arrival of the day.
Experts are warning of possible aftershocks in the coming days and the JMA has warned that today’s earthquake seems to be related to a future earthquake of greater magnitude in the Nankai grave, one of the points of greatest seismic activity in the world and where they predict that there will be a strong earthquake in the coming decades.
The entity has asked for extreme precautions and disaster prevention measures to be taken, since they consider that the possibility of a large-scale earthquake with an epicenter in that pit, which covers from the area of Kanto, where Tokyo is located, to Kyushu, is relatively greater than usual, the first time it makes a warning of these characteristics.
Japan sits on the so-called Ring of Fire, one of the most active seismic zones in the world, and suffers relatively frequently from earthquakes, so its infrastructure is specially designed to withstand tremors.
International
Looting Spreads in Venezuela’s Hardest-Hit Areas After Deadly Earthquakes
Not even the wires were left behind at a small grocery store. Before the ground had even stopped shaking, looting and theft began in the areas hardest hit by the double earthquake that struck Venezuela.
Reports of robberies have multiplied in the coastal state of La Guaira, located near Caracas and now transformed into a landscape of collapsed buildings and debris.
Videos circulating on social media show groups of people removing boxes of household appliances from a damaged store. Other images show similar boxes being carried on top of vehicles and motorcycles.
Social media platforms have also been filled with accusations against police officers and military personnel who allegedly stole from homes and even from victims who died during the disaster.
A branch of a major pharmacy chain was looted, along with supermarkets and other businesses. Some residents have described the situation as “disaster tourism,” while others say the looting reflects hunger and desperation among people who lost everything in a country already facing a prolonged economic crisis.
“Is it fair that our own people turn against our own people?” said María Esther Bernal, 71, who rented commercial spaces to Chinese merchants, all of which were looted. “They left nothing behind, not even the wallpaper. They even took the cables,” she said.
“Next door, a man died. He was Chinese. People walked over his body while they looted the place. It was a supermarket,” she added.
An AFP journalist witnessed looting in La Guaira since Thursday, following the earthquakes.
Jenifer Mayora, 34, defended some of the actions, saying that “the things people took were because the owners of the stores allowed us to take them.”
However, she criticized the limited response from authorities. “I have been waiting for a mattress so my children can sleep,” she said.
Residents have expressed anger over what they describe as a slow and insufficient response from authorities after the double earthquake, which has left around 1,450 people dead and tens of thousands missing.
Communities are demanding not only faster rescue operations in La Guaira, but also stronger security measures and urgent assistance with food, water, and medicine.
International
UN warns Venezuela earthquakes could affect up to 6.76 million people
Up to 6.76 million people could be affected by the devastating earthquakes that struck Venezuela on June 24, according to an assessment released by the International Organization for Migration (IOM), a United Nations agency.
The organization said the projections are based on available population data and damage assessments, and include up to two million people living in Caracas, the country’s capital.
The estimates highlight the potentially massive humanitarian impact of the disaster, the IOM warned.
Entire buildings collapsed in La Guaira, a coastal area north of Caracas, following the powerful twin earthquakes that reached magnitudes of 7.2 and 7.5 on Wednesday.
The national death toll has risen to 920, while rescue teams continue searching for people trapped beneath the rubble in coastal regions and other affected areas.
UN humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher told AFP on Friday that more than 50,000 people were reported missing.
The IOM also revealed that it worked with Microsoft’s artificial intelligence laboratory on an initial satellite mapping analysis, which showed that 31.5% of buildings in the town of Catia La Mar had suffered damage.
Authorities and international rescue teams continue operations as Venezuela faces one of its largest humanitarian emergencies in recent years.
International
United Nations Coordinates Relief Efforts as Venezuela Death Toll Rises After Twin Quakes
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres on Thursday expressed his condolences to the people of Venezuela following the two devastating earthquakes that struck the country and highlighted the ongoing coordination between UN humanitarian teams and interim President Delcy Rodríguez.
Speaking during the UN’s daily press briefing, spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said Guterres was deeply saddened by the loss of life and widespread destruction caused by the disaster.
“The Secretary-General is deeply distressed by the loss of life and the widespread devastation caused by the earthquakes that struck Venezuela yesterday. He extends his heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims and wishes a speedy recovery to those injured,” Dujarric stated.
Venezuela was struck on Wednesday by two powerful earthquakes measuring 7.2 and 7.5 in magnitude. According to official figures, the disaster has left at least 164 people dead and 971 others injured.
Dujarric noted that preliminary reports indicate significant damage across several states, including the capital, Caracas. Numerous casualties have been reported, while other individuals remain trapped beneath collapsed structures or are still missing.
“Critical infrastructure has been damaged and essential services have been disrupted,” the spokesperson said.
The United Nations confirmed that its humanitarian team remains in close contact with interim President Delcy Rodríguez and other relevant authorities as emergency operations continue.
To support relief efforts, the UN has established a coordination center in Caracas and is assisting local authorities to ensure that humanitarian aid reaches affected communities as quickly and efficiently as possible.
Guterres also welcomed the expressions of solidarity and offers of assistance from countries around the world that responded following news of the disaster, underscoring the importance of international cooperation in addressing the humanitarian emergency.
Looting Spreads in Venezuela’s Hardest-Hit Areas After Deadly Earthquakes
UN warns Venezuela earthquakes could affect up to 6.76 million people
United Nations Coordinates Relief Efforts as Venezuela Death Toll Rises After Twin Quakes
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