TOKYO, Feb 15 (NNN-NHK) – More than 150 people were reported injured yesterday, after an earthquake with a magnitude of 7.3, hit north-eastern Japan late Saturday night.
No deaths occurred related to the quake, that took place at 11:07 p.m. Saturday local time, logging Upper 6 on Japan’s seismic intensity scale that peaks at 7, in parts of Fukushima and Miyagi prefectures.
Although no tsunami accompanied the temblor, the quake caused water cuts, blackouts, and bullet train suspensions in stricken areas. The quake was also felt in several other areas including the country’s capital Tokyo.
Apart from Fukushima and Miyagi prefectures, injuries were also reported in six others, including Chiba, Kanagawa and Saitama, which all neighbour Tokyo.
According to Tokyo Electric Power Company, water in a used nuclear fuel pool, spilled over but has not leaked, in the Fukushima Daiichi Power plant, which has suffered nuclear meltdowns in a massive earthquake and tsunami catastrophe that hit the region 10 years ago. Other nuclear utilities have reported no irregularities, so far.
Japanese Prime Minister, Yoshihide Suga, said that, the government has received reports of many injuries but no deaths. He urged the people to stay alert, noting that quakes, with a seismic intensity scale of Upper 6 could happen, over the next seven days or so.
“We want people to take action swiftly without letting their guard down, by paying close attention to information provided by local authorities.”
Up to 950,000 households were left without electricity at one point, but the blackouts had been solved by yesterday afternoon.– NNN-NHK
