No Canadians reported hurt, missing after Japan quakes, GAC says

No Canadians have been reported injured or missing following the 7.6-magnitude earthquake that struck the west coast of Japan's main island on Monday, according to Global Affairs Canada (GAC).

"To date, we have no reports of any Canadian citizens being affected, and no calls or emails have been received from concerned Canadian citizens," GAC spokesperson Pierre Cuguen said in an email to CTV News on Monday. "Canadian consular officials stand ready to provide consular assistance to Canadian citizens as needed."

The earthquake was one of more than a dozen that hit the island nation shortly after 4 p.m. local time, collapsing buildings on the west coast of Honshu, Japan's main island, and triggering the country's highest-level tsunami alert.

Reuters, citing the country's national police agency, reported that six people are confirmed to have died so far.

The Associated Press reports at least six homes were damaged by the quakes, trapping people inside, and that a fire broke out in Wajima city, Ishikawa Prefecture.

The Japan Meteorological Agency issued several tsunami warnings following the earthquakes, including a major alert for Ishikawa, but soon downgraded its most severe warning. Japan's government has not reported any deaths, but 30,000 homes were without power in the hours following the quakes.

"On behalf of all Canadians, we extend our sympathies to all those who have been impacted, and we wish a speedy recovery to the injured," Cuguen said.

GAC says Canadians in Japan who need emergency consular assistance should contact the Embassy of Canada in Tokyo at [email protected]. They can also contact GAC's Emergency Watch and Response Centre:

-by calling 613-996-8885 or via text message at 613-686-3658

-via Signal at 613-909-8087

-via Telegram at Canada Emergency Abroad

-via WhatsApp at 613-909-8881

-and by email at [email protected]

For more information about how to contact Global Affairs Canada and the range of services the department can provide, visit travel.gc.ca/assistance/emergency-assistance.

GAC also advises Canadian travellers to sign up with the Registration of Canadians Abroad service and follow @TravelGoC on social media to get the latest updates. 

With files from The Associated Press