A huge blaze breaks out in Wajima, Ishikawa Prefecture, following a magnitude-7.6 earthquake on Jan. 1. (Provided by a resident)

Photo/Illutration A fire engulfs a residential area in Wajima, Ishikawa Prefecture, following the huge earthquake on Jan. 1. (Shigetaka Kodama)

At least 48 people were killed in Ishikawa Prefecture following the powerful earthquake that rattled the Noto region on New Year’s Day, the prefectural government said Jan. 2.

As of 3:30 p.m., the prefecture had confirmed the deaths of: 20 people in Suzu; 19 in Wajima; five in Nanao; two in Anamizu; one in Hakui; and one in Shika.

Ishikawa government officials also said 16 people were severely injured and many others have suffered minor injuries. Up to 27,785 residents have sought shelter at evacuation centers. 

Search and rescue operations continued in wide areas after the Japan Meteorological Agency at 10 a.m. on Jan. 2 lifted all tsunami advisories issued for the Sea of Japan coast.

A number of earthquakes struck off of Ishikawa Prefecture on Jan. 1, including a magnitude-7.6 temblor that registered a maximum 7 on the Japanese seismic intensity scale.

The central and local governments and other authorities are working to assess the full extent of the damage.

The central government held an emergency disaster headquarters meeting at the prime minister’s office on the morning of Jan. 2. Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said he instructed related agencies to do their utmost for rescue activities, placing the highest priority on ensuring the safety of residents.

The Anamizu Fire Department in the morning said at least nine houses collapsed in the city, and one man who was pulled from the rubble was showing no signs of life.

The city government of Hakui said a man in his 70s was confirmed killed in a collapsed house, one of 10 buildings that fell in the earthquake. Search and rescue operations are under way.

Water pipes have burst in various locations, cutting off the water supply throughout Hakui city.

Seventeen evacuation centers that opened on the evening of Jan. 1 are now sheltering about 3,700 people.

According to the fire emergency medical service headquarters that covers the greater Okunoto area, a huge fire following the quake had burned down more than 200 houses around Asaichi-dori street in Wajima as of 10:40 a.m.

Wajima city officials said the fire covered about 4,000 square meters.

The area near the Wajima Morning Market, a popular sightseeing spot, was also damaged, the emergency headquarters said.

Six fire trucks were used to bring the blaze under control. During the battle, fire hydrants were not working due to earthquake damage, and water in the fire prevention tanks ran out. Firefighters had to use seawater to extinguish the flames, the headquarters said.

A fire that broke out in the town of Noto damaged 20 houses, and blazes were also reported in Kanazawa, Nanao and Suzu.

Hokuriku Electric Power Co. said about 33,800 households in Ishikawa Prefecture were without power as of 8 a.m. in: Suzu; Wajima; Noto; Anamizu; Shika; Nanao; Nakanoto; Tsubata; Uchinada; and Kanazawa.

According to the communications ministry, connections are still spotty for cellphones and landlines in the affected areas.

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