Two dead after Powerful Earthquake hit Japan

At least two people have been killed and 160 injured after a powerful earthquake hit south-eastern Japan, officials said.

The 7.4 magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of the Fukushima region at a depth of 60km just before midnight on Wednesday.

Two million homes initially lost power and a bullet train was derailed, but none of its passengers were hurt, according to the BBC.

A number of people were also hurt by falling objects or in falls, and in the city of Soma, Fukushima Prefecture, where local media reported that one man in his sixties had died.

A second death was reported in Miyagi Prefecture, reported the BBC.

Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida told reporters earlier the government was still trying to assess the extent of any damage, and authorities said emergency services had been inundated with calls.

The Fukushima region was devastated by one of the world’s most powerful earthquakes 11 years ago, and the tsunami it generated destroyed the nuclear plant at Fukushima triggering a meltdown.

No abnormalities had been detected after Wednesday night’s earthquake at the damaged Fukushima site, said Japanese Nuclear authorities.

– News Agencies 

 

Featured Image Caption: In many places, such as here in Soma in Fukushima Prefecture, cracks appeared in roads [Photo Reuters]