Japanese authorities are warning of a tsunami after the 7.3 magnitude earthquake. It is unclear whether there is damage in the nuclear ruins in Fukushima.
A strong earthquake shook Fukushima late Wednesday evening (local time). Japan’s meteorological agency issued a tsunami warning for Fukushima and Miyagi prefectures. It was initially not known whether there was damage to the nuclear ruins in Fukushima.
The long-lasting 7.3-magnitude tremor struck just before midnight, almost to the day 11 years after the northeast Asian country’s region was devastated by a devastating 9-magnitude earthquake and triggered massive tsunami.
Wednesday’s earthquake was also felt in Tokyo, 300 kilometers away. The weather agency warned of a high tidal wave. Power outages occurred in Fukushima and Tokyo, local media reported. The government set up an emergency staff.
The incident brings back memories of the devastating disaster eleven years ago. A gigantic tsunami hit the Pacific coast on March 11, 2011 and flattened towns and villages. Huge cultivated areas sank into the water and mud masses. The flood killed around 20,000 people. In Fukushima, there was a super meltdown at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant.
The operator Tepco is now checking whether the repeated strong earthquake caused irregularities. Japan is one of the most earthquake-prone countries in the world.