Four Killed in Powerful Japanese Earthquake

Four people have been confirmed dead from the powerful earthquake that hit Japan’s western coastline Monday afternoon.

Japan’s meteorological agency reported more than a dozen quakes in the Japan Sea off the coast of Ishikawa and nearby prefectures. The largest had a magnitude of 7.6, started a fire and collapsed buildings on the west coast of Japan’s main island, Honshu.

At least six houses were damaged by the quakes, with people trapped inside, government spokesperson Yoshimasa Hayashi said. A fire broke out in the city of Wajima, Ishikawa Prefecture, and electricity was out for more than 30,000 households, he said.