Maldivian leader sends condolences following Japan quake

Maldivian President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu sent a message of condolence to the Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, following a powerful earthquake that hit central Japan on Monday, killing at least one person, destroying buildings, and knocking out power to tens of thousands of homes.

The magnitude of 7.5 earthquake struck at 04:10 pm local time on Monday, at a depth of 10 kilometers in the Noto Peninsula of Ishikawa prefecture. It triggered waves of about three feet along Japan’s west coast and neighboring South Korea.

In his message, President Muizzu expressed profound sadness regarding the strong earthquake and tsunami, resulting in the loss of lives, displacement of people, and extensive damage to property and infrastructure.

He extended deepest sympathies on behalf of himself, the government and the people of Maldives, to PM Kishida, and the government, and the people of Japan, especially, those who were affected.

Concluding his message, President Muizzu expressed confidence that, under Kishida’s leadership, the search and rescue, as well as recovery and reconstruction efforts, will be carried out effectively.

He conveyed his sincere best wishes for a swift recovery from the disaster.

Monday’s earthquake was the strongest quake in the region in more than four decades, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

Houses were destroyed, fires broke out, and army personnel were dispatched to help with rescue operations.

An elderly man was pronounced dead after a building fell down in Shika Town in Ishikawa, broadcaster NTV reported, citing local police.

Japanese PM Kishida told reporters he had instructed search-and-rescue teams to do everything possible to save lives, even though access to quake-hit areas is difficult due to blocked roads.

More strong quakes in the area, where seismic activity has been simmering for more than three years, could occur over coming days.

Japan is one of the countries in the world most at risk from earthquakes. A huge earthquake and tsunami struck northeastern Japan on March 11, 2011, killing nearly 20,000 people, devastating towns and triggering nuclear meltdowns in Fukushima.