An earthquake measuring 5.9 struck eastern Japan and the Tokyo area early on August 23, injuring at least 37 people, Japanese officials said, according to the Associated Press, reports UNN.
Details
According to the Japan Meteorological Agency, the earthquake’s epicenter was located in southern Ibaraki Prefecture at a depth of approximately 70 kilometers. The U.S. Geological Survey estimated the magnitude of the tremors at 5.8. No tsunami threat was announced after the earthquake.
The injured are in five prefectures. Tokyo reported 15 people injured, Saitama nine, Kanagawa eight, Chiba four, and Ibaraki one.
Most people suffered minor injuries after falling or striking furniture and doors. The earthquake occurred while people were sleeping, causing them to wake up abruptly and try to get out of bed. Meanwhile, an 80-year-old woman in Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture, fell out of bed and suffered a serious hip injury.
The earthquake disrupted transportation services
The tremors caused delays to express trains connecting Tokyo with Narita Airport, as well as local trains in northeastern regions. At the same time, Shinkansen bullet trains continued operating as normal.
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In Koto, an eastern Tokyo district, an underground water pipe burst because of the earthquake. Water flooded the road, but the damage was subsequently repaired and the leak stopped.
The tremors were also felt in Tokyo and nearby cities
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said that the government had established a special team to assess the possible extent of the damage. The Japan Meteorological Agency urged residents of the region to remain cautious because another moderate earthquake could occur over approximately the next week.
According to Japan’s Nuclear Regulation Authority, around a dozen nuclear power plants and other facilities handling nuclear materials reported no abnormalities.
Last month, a significantly stronger earthquake measuring 7.1 struck Japan’s Kyushu island. At the time, 38 people were killed and another 364 were injured.
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