This photo taken on Jan. 4, 2024 shows rubble of a renowned morning market in Wajima city of the central Japanese prefecture of Ishikawa. The morning market was gutted by a large blaze, engulfing over 200 structures in the central Wajima area. (Xinhua/Zhang Xiaoyu)
Japan's coastal city Wajima, worst hit by earthquakes of up to 7.6 magnitude in Ishikawa Prefecture on New Year's Day, has suffered a blaze reducing its famous Asaichi morning market to rubble.
TOKYO, Jan. 7 (Xinhua) -- The Japanese coastal city of Wajima was the hardest-hit place when a series of earthquakes of up to 7.6 magnitude struck the central prefecture of Ishikawa and the vicinity on the afternoon of New Year's Day.
At the city center's famous Asaichi morning market, charred walls were seen with ground littered with rubble, while cars were burnt down to frames and wire poles were bent and twisted.
Centered around 30 km east-northeast of Wajima, the devastating earthquake of 7.6-magnitude registered a maximum 7 on the country's seismic intensity scale, buckling roads, knocking down hundreds of buildings and setting off a massive fire that wrecked most of the market dating back over 1,000 years.
Police work at the rubble of a renowned morning market in Wajima city of the central Japanese prefecture of Ishikawa, Jan. 4, 2024. The morning market was gutted by a large blaze, engulfing over 200 structures in the central Wajima area. (Xinhua/Zhang Xiaoyu)
An area of about 48,000 square meters, equivalent to the size of 4.5 football fields, was destroyed after the fire broke out in the center of Wajima, according to the latest estimates from the Geospatial Information Authority of Japan.
According to its official website, the Asaichi market is one of three biggest morning markets in Japan, with over 200 stalls selling seafood, snacks and crafts. Its history dates back over 1,000 years when locals would barter for fish and vegetables during shrine festivals.
Now much of the well known tourist attraction was in ruin.
An old couple was in a daze in front of an open space. The old man told Xinhua, "the store that had been in business for more than 60 years was gone."
The couple had operated a business selling lacquerware and craftwork in the morning market. Because the store was a wooden structure and sold flammable lacquerware, the conflagration burned the place to the ground.
"We were closed on Jan. 1 and celebrated the New Year at home. We learned from TV that there was a fire in the Asaichi market, knowing that our shop would not be spared. We didn't dare to come. Today is the first time to come and see the market," the old lady cried, "I am really shocked. Everything was gone."
This photo taken on Jan. 3, 2024 shows an earthquake-damaged area in Wajima, Ishikawa prefecture, Japan. (Xinhua/Zhang Xiaoyu)
Several days have passed since the earthquake, smoke was seen somewhere, and strong and pungent smell made it impossible to stay for long.
The whole city of Wajima has become extremely quiet. Rescue teams could be seen searching through the rubble.
As of 4:00 p.m. local time, the death toll in Ishikawa prefecture from Monday's earthquake has risen to 126, with 69 reported in the worst-hit Wajima, the public broadcaster NHK reported Saturday.■
