Devastating footage shows aftermath of 7.6 magnitude earthquake that struck Japan

New footage has shown the devastation in Japan after the country was hit by an earthquake with a magnitude of 7.6.

The earthquake struck on Monday 1 January, and sparked tsunami warnings in coastal areas.

According to broadcaster NTV, police say one man has died following a building collapse in Ishikawa.

Several reports have also said that people remain trapped under rubble from collapsed buildings.

#JAPAN has been hit by a massive 7.6 #EARTHQUAKE!

Orders to evacuate have been issued, along with tsunami warnings.

I hope everybody is safe🙏 pic.twitter.com/hZrLPk5a3Y

— Tansu Yegen (@TansuYegen) January 1, 2024

Major tsunami warnings were the first to be issued in the country since the catastrophic tsunami in 2011.

Some tsunamis more than one metre high reached the coast in Ishikawa prefecture, but these were smaller than the five metre waves which were warned of.

It is also understood that authorities have now downgraded tsunami warnings from 'major tsunami warning' to 'tsunami warning', though residents have been advised to remain evacuated.

Mum-of-two Ayako Daikai is among those who have evacuated their homes following the warnings.

She and her family evacuated to a school, where she said the buildings were packed with people.

Daikai told Reuters: "I also experienced the Great Hanshin Earthquake, so I thought it would be safest to evacuate. We haven't decided when to return home yet."

And footage from the earthquake has shown the devastation caused in the tremor, which is understood to have lasted around a minute.

They show roads which have been overturned and broken, as well as the destruction in buildings around the north coast of the country.

The ground is churned up, telegraph poles can be seen lopsided and fallen over. At least 30 buildings are also reported to have collapsed following the quake, according to the local fire department in Wajima City.

Major Damage in many area after 7.6-magnitude earthquake hit Japan.#Fire #Japan #tsunami #sismo #地震 #earthquake #warning #deprem pic.twitter.com/MBIGlOI3Vj

— Chaudhary Parvez (@ChaudharyParvez) January 1, 2024

Japan is frequently hit by earthquakes and has rigorous systems, drills, and building designs in place to protect against them.

People are also aware of the risks and what to do in the event of an earthquake - with one video showing people taking shelter under tables in a restaurant as the earthquake hit.

Around 36,000 households in households in Ishikawa and Toyama have also lost power following the quake.

More than 80 smaller earthquakes have since hit Japan since the largest one, causing widespread damage.

An airport in Ishikawa also reportedly had to cancel flights due to a crack in the runway which had been caused by the earthquake.

In 2011, Japan was hit by the Tohoku earthquake at 9.0 magnitude, which triggered a catastrophic tsunami.

The disaster also severely damaged the Fukushima nuclear power plant.