At least 30 people reported dead since the 7.6 magnitude quake struck the west coast on New Year’s Day

At least 30 people have been reported dead after a massive earthquake hit the coast of central Japan on New Year’s Day with Prime Minister Fumio Kishida warning that damage was “widespread” and casualties were likely to rise.

The 7.6 magnitude quake struck on Monday afternoon near the Noto Peninsula in Ishikawa Prefecture, triggering the country’s first major tsunami warning since the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami that left about 18,500 people dead or missing in the northeast.

 According to emergency services, at least 50 people suffered injuries.

Over 200 buildings are on fire in the Ishikawa Prefecture. More than 100 buildings collapsed and there are people trapped under the rubble. Rescuers and firefighters are working at the scene and the Japanese Self-Defence Forces are assisting in dealing with the aftermath of the quakes.