Yesterday, aftershocks and heavy rain hampered the search for survivors of Monday’s 7.6-magnitude tremor 185 miles north west of Tokyo.
In a message to Emperor Naruhito, Charles said he and Queen Camilla had followed reports of the disaster closely. He said: “I can only say how deeply we feel for all those who are suffering from the dreadful effects of this horrific tragedy.”
The King, 75, who signed the message Charles R, said: “My wife and I were profoundly saddened to hear of the devastating loss of life and injuries caused by the series of earthquakes that have struck Japan.”
He said they mourned “the many lives cut short”, adding: “Our thoughts are with all those who have lost loved ones.”
Charles also paid tribute to the “bravery and courage” of emergency teams in a “race against time” to reach dozens of people feared trapped under buildings.
He said: “I know that my Government stands ready to support the people of Japan at this exceptionally difficult time.”
The quakes were centred on Noto in the country’s Ishikawa district, including Suzu and Wajima cities. They triggered tsunami warnings with 3ft-plus waves.
Hundreds of aftershocks were later recorded in the region.
The area’s narrow peninsula landscape has also hindered rescue efforts.
Water, power and mobile phone services are still unavailable in some places. Japan’s prime minister, Fumio Kishida, said: “More than 40 hours have passed. This is a race against time, and I feel that we are at a critical moment.
“We have received reports many people are still waiting for rescue under collapsed buildings.”
Naomi Gonno and her children fled their house just as it came crashing down. Her mother was trapped under the rubble, with only her hand visible, but managed to squeeze out through a tiny space.
Naomi said: “I can’t believe we’re still alive. We are living in fear.”
Yesterday, a man who escaped Tuesday’s fireball plane crash on the runway at Tokyo’s Haneda Airport told of the terror they felt.
Miraculously, all 379 passengers were evacuated from the Japan Airlines Airbus A350 after it struck a coastguard plane delivering aid to earthquake areas.
Five of the six crew on board the Bombardier Dash-8 aircraft died. Airbus passenger William Manzione, who was travelling with his wife and children, said his family had dodged “a really big bullet”.
He said: “There was a huge impact and I looked my wife in the eyes and said, ‘Something is absolutely not right’.
“Within a few seconds there was a louder bang and you felt the plane was bending on the front, towards the ground.”
He added: “I think we are under shock still. I feel the adrenaline running but also a feeling that it could have been much, much worse.”
