Race against time after deadly Japan quake

This aerial photo provided by Jiji Press shows a red rescue vehicle (centre) parked next to a seven-storey building which fell over in Wajima, Ishikawa prefecture on Jan 2, 2024, a day after the 7.5 magnitude earthquake struck the Noto region in Ishikawa prefecture. - AFP

KANAZAWA; Japanese rescuers battled against the clock and powerful aftershocks on Tuesday (Jan 2) to find survivors of a major earthquake that struck on New Year's Day, killing at least six people and leaving a trail of destruction.

The 7.5-magnitude quake, which hit Ishikawa prefecture on the main island of Honshu, triggered tsunami waves over a metre high, toppled buildings, caused a major port fire and tore apart roads.