A strong earthquake shook north-eastern Japan on Monday night. It caused fear and damage across several communities.
The earthquake had a magnitude of 7.5. It injured at least 30 people according to early reports.
The quake happened at 23:15 local time. It took place at 14:15 GMT.
The Japan Meteorological Agency said the quake occurred about 80km off the coast of Aomori. It struck at a depth of 50km beneath the sea.
The powerful shaking forced thousands of people to leave their homes. Many families gathered in evacuation centres to stay safe.
Authorities issued tsunami warnings soon after the earthquake. Those warnings have now been lifted by officials.
Waves as high as 70cm were seen along parts of the coast. They did not cause major flooding but created panic among residents.
Some people living close to the sea rushed to higher ground. Others waited for instructions from emergency workers.
Several train services were suspended in the affected region. Many people were unable to travel home because of the disruption.
Thousands of homes also lost electricity after the earthquake struck. Power companies worked through the night to restore supply.
Officials warned that another strong tremor could happen soon. They urged the public to stay alert for at least one week.
Local media reported that people should be ready to evacuate again if needed. They also advised residents to keep emergency items close.
Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi addressed the nation after the quake. She encouraged people to check their earthquake safety plans.
She asked families to secure furniture in their homes. She also told them to prepare to leave quickly if they feel strong shaking.
Orders were issued for about 90,000 residents to evacuate. Many moved to schools and public buildings for shelter.
Reuters news agency reported that emergency teams helped guide people to safer areas. They also gave support to the injured.
The Aomori prefectural government said about 2,700 homes lost power. Technicians were sent out to fix the damaged lines.
East Japan Railway suspended some services along the north-eastern coast. Workers inspected the tracks for cracks and other problems.
The Japanese government set up a disaster response office. It is located in the prime minister’s crisis management centre.
Chief cabinet secretary Minoru Kihara said an emergency team had been formed. He promised that the government would take all necessary steps.
He said officials were working hard to assess the damage. He added that rescue and relief operations were already underway.
He also noted that emergency workers were helping people in the worst-hit areas. They were checking roads, buildings, and bridges for safety.
Tohoku Electric Power Company checked its nuclear plants after the quake. It said there were no irregularities at the Higashidori and Onagawa plants.
Japanese authorities made a similar report about the Fukushima site. They informed the International Atomic Energy Agency of the situation.
Japan remembers the disaster of 11 March 2011. That was when a magnitude 9.0 quake hit off the eastern coast.
The huge tsunami that followed destroyed entire towns. It killed more than 18,000 people and left deep scars on the nation.
Source : BBC
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