Emma Narvaez
Just 16 hours into the New Year at 4:10 PM JST, an earthquake of magnitude 7.6 hit the northern coast of the Noto Peninsula of the Ishikawa Prefecture. The aftermath involved numerous aftershocks, structural damage, and tsunami warnings for neighboring countries as far as eastern Russia.
Consolation performance by the Ground Self-Defense Force Band, Ministry of Defence of Japan (防衛省), CC BY 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
The earthquake has left a trail of devastation, claiming the lives of at least 57 individuals in Ishikawa. The vulnerability of Japan to earthquakes is well-known, given its location at the convergence of four tectonic plates. The recent earthquake generated ocean waves about 1 meter high along Japan’s west coast and on the coast of neighboring South Korea, prompting the evacuation of almost 100,000 people across nine prefectures. The earthquake caused fires in multiple locations, exacerbating destruction, and also disrupted water and power supplies, making communication challenging in affected areas.
Ishikawa, the epicenter of the earthquake, lies near the tectonic plate boundary between the earth’s Eurasian and North American plates, making it particularly susceptible to seismic activity due to the movement of these plates against each other. The impact of the earthquake has been felt across the region, with casualties reported and rescue efforts underway to reach those affected.
Ironically enough, however, a coast guard aircraft en route to provide supplies to an airbase in Niigata inflamed the initial tragedy.
The Coast Guard aircraft, a De Havilland Canada Dash 8 named Mizunagi-1, was on a mission to provide relief in response to the earthquake that had struck the day before. However, the mission took an unforeseen turn. The aircraft was reported to be stationary on the runway for around 40 seconds before the collision with Japan Airlines Flight 516 occurred. The collision resulted in a devastating fire, leading to the deaths of five out of the six crew members on the Coast Guard plane. The captain, who survived with serious injuries, reported that the back of the aircraft suddenly caught fire shortly after increasing engine power, eventually exploding following the collision.
This unfortunate turn of events not only claimed the lives of those on the Coast Guard aircraft but also led to further damage and destruction at Haneda Airport. The collision and subsequent fires caused operational losses for Japan Airlines, estimating damages at 15 billion yen ($105 million). The incident also forced the closure of Haneda Airport runways, affecting numerous flights during a period when many were traveling for the New Year holidays.
Miraculously, all 367 passengers and 12 crew members aboard the JAL516 flight evacuated, with at least 17 minor injuries. The remarkable speed of the evacuation was a testament to the aircraft’s emergency system, where passengers followed the emergency protocols and exited swiftly through the exit slides. Although extensive details have not been disclosed, footage inside the plane shows that the main body of the plane was intact upon landing, with flames on the outside and smoke within the cabin. The light smoke meant that passengers were not susceptible to smoke inhalation or suffocation, and were able to make their way out.
Government authorities committed to conducting a thorough investigation into the circumstances of the incident, especially considering that the country had not experienced a significant commercial aviation accident for decades. When questioned during a late Tuesday night briefing about whether Japan Airlines Flight 516 had obtained landing clearance from air traffic control, representatives from the airline stated, “Our understanding is that it was given.” However, JAL declined to provide direct comments on the interactions between flight controllers and the two planes.
In the face of a challenging start to 2024, Japan grapples with the aftermath of a powerful earthquake, subsequent aftershocks and fires, and a tragic aviation collision. We extend our deepest condolences to the 57 lives lost in Ishikawa and the 5 crew members of the Coast Guard plane. As investigations unfold, let us remember and honor the lives impacted, hoping for strength and recovery in light of this unexpected adversity.
Works Cited
Al Jazeera. “How Devastating Was Monday’s Earthquake in Japan?” Al Jazeera, 2 Jan. 2024, www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/1/2/how-devastating-was-mondays-earthquake-in-japan.
Author, No. “Japan Ushers in a Bruising Beginning for 2024.” The Japan Times, 5 Jan. 2024, www.japantimes.co.jp/editorials/2024/01/05/2024-japan-begins/.
Holmes, Oliver, et al. “Japan Plane Crash: A Visual Guide to the Tokyo Airport Collision.” The Guardian, 2 Jan. 2024, www.theguardian.com/world/2024/jan/02/japan-plane-crash-visual-guide-tokyo-airport-accident. Accessed 28 Jan. 2024.
Regan, Helen. ““Battle against Time” to Find Quake Survivors as Japan Lifts Tsunami Warnings and Death Toll Rises.” CNN, 2 Jan. 2024, edition.cnn.com/2024/01/02/asia/japan-earthquake-tsunami-warnings-tuesday-intl-hnk/index.html.
The Asahi Shimbun. “48 Confirmed Dead in Ishikawa after New Year’s Day Earthquake | the Asahi Shimbun: Breaking News, Japan News and Analysis.” The Asahi Shimbun, 2 Jan. 2024, www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/15100662. Accessed 28 Jan. 2024.
Emma Narvaez