Central Japan hit by powerful earthquake - in pictures

24 November 2014

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has pledged firm support to victims of an earthquake that destroyed scores of homes and injured at least 41 people in a popular ski resort on Sunday.

Collapsed houses after the earthquake hit Hakuba, Nagano prefecture, central Japan (23 November 2014)

AP

The Nagano prefectural government in central Japan says the 6.2-magnitude quake destroyed more than 460 houses and other buildings - in addition to causing landslides in at least four areas. The worst damage was in the ski resort town of Hakuba.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe (L) meets victims of the earthquake which jolted central Japan on Saturday (22 November 2014)

Reuters

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe visited a shelter for those affected by the quake, which happened in the same mountainous area that hosted the 1998 winter Olympics. Although the destruction was worse than initially thought, there was widespread relief that there were no fatalities.

A resident leaves after picking up her belongings from her collapsed house after the earthquake hit the area of Hakuba, some 300km north-west of Tokyo, Nagano prefecture (23 November 2014)

AFP

Mr Abe said that the government is determined to support victims of the quake, including help with rebuilding houses. At least 34 homes collapsed near Hakuba.

Residents organize scattered belongings in their collapsed house after the quake hit Hakuba, Nagano prefecture (23 November 2014)

AP

In areas where the damage was not so severe, the most serious injuries were blows to the head or broken bones caused by falling furniture.

Gravestones lie in a pile at a burial ground after they were toppled by the earthquake in Hakuba, some 300km north-west of Tokyo, Nagano prefecture (23 November 2014)

AFP

In this part of Nagano prefecture north-west of Tokyo, taller buildings appeared to withstand the quake in contrast to to the toppled gravestones in this cemetery.

Residents cover pieces of their damaged home with plastic to protect it from snow following the quake in the ski resort village of Hakuba, central Japan (23 November 2014)

EPA

As the clear-up moved into full swing on Monday, the priority of many residents in Hakuba was to cover parts of their damaged homes with plastic to protect them from snowfall which is forecast later in the week.

Residents roll winter tyres past houses damaged after a 6.7-magnitude earthquake in the ski resort village of Hakuba, central Japan (23 November 2014)

EPA

Local experts said the construction of the mostly wooden houses, built to withstand heavy snowfall in the height of winter, helped to prevent more casualties. The emergency services also did their part by rescuing at least 20 people, including a two-year-old, from toppled homes.